Free rice is making people lazy, notes Madras HC
What's the story
The Madras High Court has observed that only BPL families should get free PDS rice, and the scheme being applicable to all was making people lazy.
A bench comprising Justices N Kirubakaran and Abdul Quddhose noted benefits for poor have been extended to others by consecutive governments for political benefits.
As a result, people have become lazy. Here's more on what they said.
The case
Accused kept under detention under Goondas Act, challenged it
The court made the observations while hearing a petition of a person kept under detention as per Goondas Act for allegedly smuggling PDS rice.
The government submitted that PDS rice was distributed to all, irrespective of their economic status.
It was told that in 2017-18, Rs. 2,110 crore was spent on the distribution of rice and the court took strong objection to it.
Observations
Not against schemes, but everyone shouldn't get benefit: HC
The bench clarified it was not against these schemes and added governments are obliged to give bare necessities to poor people, but there should be restrictions.
About the government spending Rs. 2,000 crore on the distribution, the bench said it should be put to judicious use.
It said this qualified as a capital loss, and over the years has become 'recurring capital loss'.
Quote
Not everyone should get freebies, court notes
"This court is not against the distribution of rice to the really deserving, economically backward and poor people. However, it should not be given to people irrespective of their economic status," the bench noted.