At a time when every political party seems to have copied from the other political party on what freebies they would give if elected, to lure the voters, economists and right thinking people are aghast at the deep trouble they would land the state in.

In the long run the people will be the worst losers lament development economists who have tracked a deteriorating economy in the state over the past few years, that is getting further stressed by the freebies, which collectively are adding to the mounting public debt.

At the last count, public debt has mounted to Rs 2.5 lakh crore and growing with each passing day as state utilities and bodies are amassing huge losses on account of various factors.

Seen in this light, the freebies being announced left, right and centre by Amma and her opponents in a stuff bout of competitive populism sure to land a knock out blow to the state’s economy.

In Tamil Nadu, voters are in for a bonanza with free mobiles, laptops, tablets, foreign educational tour for farmers to free autos and taxis to women to guaranteed part-time jobs to all girl students with Rs 2000 per month stipend and many more.

All the four chief ministerial candidates – Jayalalithaa (AIADMK) Karunanidhi (DMK) Vijayakanth (DMDK-PWF-TMC) and Anbumani Ramadoss have come out with this or that freebie to lure the voters to their fold.

This is nothing but bribing the voters, rued Prof S Janakarajan of Madras Institute of Development Studies. “This competitive populism to curry favor with the voters in exchange for a shot at power for five years will surely ruin the state and its economy and put every citizen under a huge debt,” he said reacting to the plethora of free gadgets being doled out by the politicians of every hue.

But what will happen to the state and its economy?
“Tthis is the last thing on the mind of the two sides – the one who is giving (the politicians) and the one who is receiving (voters). The country be damned kind of an attitude surely destroy the state,” Prof AR Venkatachalapathy, also of MIDS feels.

Sample the promises of Vijayakanth – government to release 200 films held up for various reasons, free home delivery or rations, petrol at Rs 45 per liter and diesel at Rs 35 per liter. Women would get one lakh autos or taxis and pension to all above 60 years of age. Foreign travel for 25000 farmers is something even the farmers find hard to believe.

Development economists are aghast at this freebie culture, which they are sure will completely destroy the state.
Said Prof S Janakarajan, development economist at MIDS, “debt burden on each and every individual of the state will be unbearable and in the long run the economy will be ruined.” The financial burden will touch unimaginable levels.

“Competitive populism will bring down the overall development and welfare levels in the state,” he declared in a quick assessment of the impact of the freebies on the state and its economy.