Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the debate on freebies matters because it shapes future growth. She claimed the government has “contained the leaky bucket” process using technology so beneficiaries receive the full amount, not just a fraction. Speaking in Kakinada, she also urged removing taxes hurting exports, saying the new export policy will offer incentives to exporters.
Election authorities across multiple states have seized large amounts of cash, liquor, and election freebies ahead of polls, led by West Bengal. Tamil Nadu reported lower seizure values, while Assam and Kerala also saw cases. Officials and observers warn that the scale of these “welfare gifts” points to coordinated attempts to sway voters before voting begins.
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