What is considered "freebies" in normal times can be lifesavers during a disaster or a pandemic, the Election Commission of India (ECI) told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
The top poll body was giving the apex court its take on a petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay to ban the practice of political parties promising "irrational freebies", especially during election time to garner votes.
The ECI said both "irrational" and "freebies" were terms open to subjective interpretation. They have no legal precise definitions. What may be irrational or a freebie for one, may be rational and essential for another section of the society.
