Are we creating a class of parasites: Supreme Court on freebies

“Unfortunately, because of these freebies... the people are not willing to work. They are getting free rations. They are getting amounts without doing any work… Aren’t we creating a class of parasites?” a bench, comprising justices Bhushan R Gavai and AG Masih, remarked.

Hearing a case related to night shelters for the homeless, the bench added: “Unfortunately, because of these freebies, which come on the anvil of the elections…some Ladki Bahin and some other scheme, people are not willing to work. They are getting free ration, they are getting amount without any work, why should they work?... But would it not be better to make them a part of the mainstream of society and permit them to contribute to the development of the nation?”

Responding, advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners in the matter, said that there is hardly anybody in the country who would not want to work if there is some work.