The Goa Government’s implementation of the Ujjwala Yojana, providing financial assistance for three domestic LPG/PNG refills annually, fulfils a BJP election manifesto promise and offers relief to families facing rising cooking-fuel costs. However, the timing of such schemes before elections raises concerns about whether welfare is being used as a tool to influence voters. Goa has witnessed similar promises before. The free-water scheme was introduced but later discontinued. Persons with Disabilities have also been promised free interstate travel from July 1, 2026, but despite official announcements and assurances, implementation remains awaited. Freebies have increasingly become part of election politics across India. The practice is not new; Tamil Nadu witnessed such populism as early as 1967, when CN Annadurai promised subsidised rice, a scheme later withdrawn due to financial constraints. While genuine welfare is necessary, governments must ensure that subsidies are sustainable and do not burden state finances or divert funds from essential development. Voters deserve long-term policies, not temporary benefits that appear before elections and may disappear afterwards. Political parties must stop treating citizens merely as vote banks.
KG VILOP, Chorao
