'My tax is for country's development, not for free distribution': Why is this trending on social media?

‘I’ am a tax payer, my tax is for country's development, not for free distribution’. This response is once again trending on social media.

Before elections, most political partiespromisesome freebees or services in their manifestos. And when any party comes to power, it has to spend billions of rupees on these free schemes to fulfill its election promises.

Do you know that this money comes from taxpayers, and not from the funds of any political party? Since NDA returned to power for a third consecutive term, taxpayers have beenexpressingdispleasure on social media overthe promises of several free schemes made by the NDA governmentwhich will be paid through the tax-payers money.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Notably, two major allies of the NDA are the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United). Before the elections, these parties also released their manifestos promising several free schemes, which will cost millions of rupees annually to implement.

However this year before the elections, the NDA issued a joint manifesto, announcing several free schemes.

BJP announced that it would continue the free ration scheme for the next five years, which was initiated in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with expanding the coverage of free treatment up to ₹5 lakhs under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, they also promised to provide medicines at an 80% discount at Jan Aushadhi centers.

Additionally, every senior citizen above the age of 70, whether poor, middle-class, or upper-middle-class, will be entitled to free treatment up to ₹5 lakhs.

What’s Free in NDA’s Manifesto in Andhra Pradesh?

The TDP, Jana Sena, and BJP alliance promised a monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 to unemployed youth. NDA named its manifesto 'Praja Galam.'

TDP's announcement includes promises such as free bus travel for women, three free cooking gas cylinders per year for every household, and ₹15,000 annually for every school-going child.

What Do Experts Say About Free Schemes?

Manish Khemka, Chairman of the Global Taxpayers Trust, says, “like every time, this Lok Sabha election also made it clear that freebies are now becoming a national disease or even a pandemic. This is the biggest corruption in democracy that needs to be stopped immediately. Over time, political parties have also changed the way they announce freebies. Earlier, candidates would try to win elections by distributing money and liquor from their pockets. Nowadays, political parties attempt to gain power by using hardworking taxpayers' money.

Parties formally announce various freebies in their manifestos to lure voters.”

“If government expenditure aligns with resources and boosts productivity by supporting the poor, it is acceptable; otherwise, freebies should be strictly prohibited,” he added.

Former Finance Secretary of India, Subhash Chandra Garg, says, “Broadly, 50% of the central government’s budget is funded by taxpayers, and the remaining 50% comes from non-tax revenue. It is incorrect to say that taxpayers bear all the expenses. We need to understand the system of public finance.”

“Taxpayers also have the misconception that most of their money goes towards freebies. Taxpayers fund only 50% of the Government of India's budget. Therefore, the budget for free schemes does not exceed 15-20%. Public finance never categorises it this way. Hence, such campaigns are not correct,” said Garg.

(With inputs from agencies)