NEW DELHI: Criticizing the AAP Government inexplicitly, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said political parties should pay for freebies through budgetary provisions.
The finance minister said that parties come to power on pre-poll promises of freebies should have provision for it.
“The issue is not about what constitutes a freebie, but make provision if you have given a promise for it,” she added.
She also cited the example of free electricity being promised in many states, saying that the burden for the freebies should not be thrust upon the power discoms or gencos.
Speaking at the FE Best Bank Awards event in Mumbai, Sitharaman said “If you promise people at the time of the election, you are looking at a quid pro quo. Being a responsible party, you should assume after you come to power, make a provision in the budget for it,”