With the 2025 Assembly elections approaching, Delhi is up in arms with a series of exciting fundraising offers from the AAP, BJP, and Congress. Everyone wants the people to vote for them by means of mesmerizing packages laden with free-of-cost education, cash transfers, and welfare schemes. However, behind these appealing promises, there are many challenges that could impact the future of the capital.

Imagine a young student with hope, excitement, and a wish for a better future. Free education from kindergarten to postgraduate level as offered by BJP may sound like a dream come true. While this young student ponders whether this is a blessing, let us ask ourselves: Is the government creating the dependence of students? Will this dependence on such benefits weaken self-reliance and reduce one’s effort and contribution to society? Experts point out that such dependence could indeed weaken independence and lessen motivation to work hard and contribute to society. Dr. Anjali Mehta, education policy expert, says, “Free education, with the expectation that everyone in society will be able to gain education, tends to make students lazy in so far as it erodes the school of diligence and resilience.”

The Financial Burden of Free Schemes

As the political parties put forth their manifestos, the financial implications of these free schemes are becoming apparent. Although they do sound very tempting, who is going to pay for it? Huge freebies increase state debts, causing budget deficits and greater public debt. In other cases, governments may raise taxes to finance them, further burdening the very people that they want to help. The middle and lower classes—who are often very vulnerable—will find this reality tends to put them in a runaway spiral of hardship, nullifying the benefit of the promised free service. A study by the Delhi Economy Forum states that tax hikes could put even more pressure on low-income families and thereby deepen economic inequality.

Giving free stuff for quick help will jeopardize long-term development of essential services. When in a city healthcare, education, and public safety receive neglect, and money is spent on short-term giveaways, the attractions of free handouts may distract from the contribution of persistent growth, thereby making the community weak and unstable. Urban Planner Ravi Kumar pointed out, "We need to invest in infrastructure for future development purposes. If free schemes keep on taking funds, then we might end up creating a city incapable of supporting its ever-growing population."

Inequality in Resource Allocation

As the political developments unfold, not all citizens would get equal benefits from these schemes. Targeting of resources can result in their misallocation, leaving behind those in utmost need for assistance. Since political parties design their initiatives to cater to specific voter sets, such an approach continues to ensure the practice of inequality, with marginalized communities missing out on help they genuinely require. A recent study by the Centre for Social Justice found that many welfare schemes either do not reach the intended beneficiaries or reach them very late, owing to bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption in the implementation.

In this tale of hope and struggles, corruption remains a significant concern. With the introduction of free programs comes the danger of mismanagement and lack of accountability. Without scrutiny, it's hard to gauge how effective these programs are; it becomes impossible to see their true impact on a society. A survey by Transparency International found that nearly 40% of the respondents believed that government welfare programs had corruption rampant throughout them, raising doubts regarding the integrity of these programs.

The Need for Sustainable Development

As the election date gets closer, it's important for voters to think carefully about the promises being made. Free schemes can belong to the fairy-tale realm, but there is a need to look beyond the surface and see the implications of such promotions in the long term. Instead of just looking for short-term benefits, we should prioritize sustainable development, investing in infrastructure, and empowering people. This approach will help avoid creating a cycle of dependency.

The political drama unfolding in the heart of Delhi puts the future of the city on the line. Voters must weigh carefully the promises that political parties make, focusing on accelerated economic growth and social equity. The tale of Delhi is ongoing, and it is the destiny of its citizens to give it its proper form: a tale of empowerment, resilience, and progress, and not one of dependency and scorched hopes.