Rajya Sabha chair seeks national policy on freebies

New Delhi - Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar called for lawmakers to discuss the issue of government spending on freebies and their impact on the economy. He emphasized the need for a national policy to ensure that government investments are used effectively for societal benefit. Dhankhar highlighted that the country’s growth depends on capital expenditure. His comments came after MP Ram Gopal Yadav requested an increase in the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD) funds from ₹5 crore to ₹20 crore. Yadav argued that the current funds are too low to address the rising costs due to inflation and goods and services tax (GST). He stated that many MPs feel pressured by these limitations and that they often lose elections partly due to the inadequacy of such funds. The MPLADS scheme allows lawmakers to propose development projects like roads and schools in their constituencies. Several lawmakers supported Yadav’s request during the discussion, acknowledging disparities in funding and benefits between MPs and state assembly members. Dhankhar pointed out that there is inconsistency in how different states allocate funds and provide salaries and pensions to elected officials. He noted that legislation could address these inequalities and improve the quality of government investment. The chairman also discussed the topic of subsidies, especially in agriculture. He suggested that subsidies should be direct and transparent, similar to practices in developed countries like the United States, where farmer incomes are supported efficiently.