Parties must avoid excessive freebies, focus on development, says ex-Minister Semmalai

Former Minister Semmalai urges parties to limit freebies and prioritize development for Tamil Nadu's future prosperity.

AIADMK’s senior leader and former Education and Health Minister S. Semmalai on Saturday called upon political parties to avoid rolling out a slew of freebies.

Asked whether the spree of freebies, being announced by major political parties as part of their electoral assurances, would facilitate the development of Tamil Nadu, the 80-year-old former Minister replied emphatically: “Definitely not! This should be avoided. Leaders of political parties should realise this.” He added that his prescription was applicable to the Union government too.

Pointing out that the outstanding debt of the State government would exceed the ₹10-lakh-crore mark by 2026-27 from about ₹5.19 lakh crore five years ago, Mr. Semmalai, who represented Salem in the Lok Sabha during 2009-14, contended that this would be double the figure the State had accrued in the last 50 years. “Loans have been taken even to meet the commitment of interest payment.”

Criticising the DMK government for not increasing the capital expenditure substantially in the last five years, the former Minister said the present regime had “frittered away” funds for the purpose of distributing freebies, done keeping with “vote bank politics” in mind. At least in future, there should be higher allocations for capital expenditure to enable the implementation of more infrastructure development projects, eventually triggering the generation of greater revenue.

Clarifying that he was not for the abolition of freebies, he, however, stipulated that freebies be targeted towards the needy, vulnerable sections of society so that the living standards were raised. “Instead of being given as freebies, you can give grants,” he suggested.

Asked about the AIADMK’s freebies, Mr. Semmalai answered that “there is no other way out. Like any other party, we also have to dress up. But, when we come to power, we will correct the trend and provide more funds for capital expenditure.”