National Desk
20 March
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist & Research Analysist
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has advocated for a discussion in the House on the issue of freebies and subsidies. He emphasized the urgent need for a national policy to ensure the proper use of government schemes.
His remarks came after Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav demanded an increase in the MPLAD (Members of Parliament Local Area Development) fund from ₹5 crore to ₹20 crore per year during Zero Hour. Dhankhar stated that if both the government and the opposition agree, he is ready to facilitate a debate on the matter.
Free electricity, water, subsidized cooking gas, and direct cash transfers to farmers and women are often criticized as populist measures. Dhankhar pointed out that a country’s progress depends on available capital expenditure. He expressed concern over the increasing trend of political parties making attractive promises during elections, which later put newly elected governments in financial difficulty.
Speaking on subsidies in the agriculture sector, Dhankhar noted that in the United States, subsidies are provided to farmers in a direct and transparent manner. He also highlighted the unequal provisions in the Constitution regarding the salaries and allowances of MPs and MLAs.
The issue of freebies has been a topic of national debate, with many experts arguing that while some welfare measures are necessary for social development, unchecked populism can strain government resources. Dhankhar’s call for a structured national policy aims to bring more accountability and sustainability to government spending.
The discussion on MPLAD funds also raises questions about the financial autonomy of MPs and the role of public funds in local development. Whether the government will take concrete steps on this issue remains to be seen.