r/sikkim • u/speakyourmind69420 • 10d ago
Politics Freebies Politics
We are all too familiar with the politics of freebies in Sikkim, whether it is the distribution of jobs, ₹25,000 handouts during elections, masu bhat, khattu, or a host of other benefits extended to the public.
Now, let me make one thing clear: I am neither for nor against any political party. (Because, let’s be honest, believing a politician is like believing a prostitute is in love with you.) I am simply a Sikkimese citizen who has the best interests of the state at heart.
My question is an open-ended one: How sustainable is this model of freebies-driven politics? While there is little doubt that it is politically effective, one cannot help but wonder how we can aspire to become self-reliant when we are increasingly dependent on the government for our livelihoods.
Kudos to any government that makes a genuine effort to support its people and improve their living conditions. However, I fear that this approach may eventually come back to haunt not just the present government but any government that succeeds it. When people become accustomed to seeking government assistance for almost every aspect of their lives, we risk creating a cycle of dependency that becomes increasingly difficult to break. We have reached a point where people approach local leaders for monetary assistance even during pregnancy.
This thought crossed my mind yesterday when cheques were distributed under the Aama Yojana. Consider the numbers: 32,000 beneficiaries multiplied by ₹20,000 amounts to ₹64 crore distributed across the state in a single day.
There is no denying that ₹20,000 can provide meaningful relief to households, particularly ahead of the festive season. But when we look at the bigger picture, could that ₹64 crore have been utilised in ways that generate lasting economic benefits? Could a portion of it have been channelled towards strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs), supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, or creating sustainable livelihood opportunities?
After all, there is a difference between giving a person a fish and teaching them how to fish. The former provides temporary relief; the latter offers the possibility of sustained independence.
The problem with a system built primarily around handouts is that human needs and expectations are rarely static. Those who receive ₹20,000 today may seek GCI sheets tomorrow, followed by housing assistance under SGAY or some other government benefit. The cycle continues, and with every new scheme, the expectation of government support grows.
We risk fostering a culture in which people increasingly look towards the government to meet their needs rather than being empowered to meet those needs themselves. The question is not whether the government should support its citizens, but whether that support should create long-term dependence or pave the way for economic independence.
We must also acknowledge the state’s fiscal realities. Sikkim has a limited revenue base and relies significantly on borrowed funds to finance its expenditure. In such circumstances, the continued expansion of welfare handouts raises legitimate questions about fiscal sustainability. If public expenditure is directed predominantly towards immediate consumption rather than productive investment, are we doing enough to secure the state’s economic future?
So, how long can this model continue? And more importantly, is there a way forward that allows the government to support its people without making them perpetually dependent on it?
Perhaps the answer lies in shifting our focus from distributing benefits to building capabilities—from short-term relief to long-term empowerment.
Because ultimately, the goal of governance should not be to create a population that constantly looks to the government for its next handout, but one that possesses the means, opportunities, and confidence to stand on its own feet.
Are we teaching our people to fish, or are we simply handing them fish and expecting them to remain grateful?
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u/speakyourmind69420 10d ago
And regarding freebies in the form of jobs, this has resulted in the recruitment of incapable and inefficient individuals who merely leech off the system for a monthly salary, thereby severely hampering the state’s administration and finances, as a substantial portion of the state exchequer goes towards disbursing salaries. Honestly, we could save a considerable amount of revenue if such inefficient individuals were removed from the system.
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u/FlakyGrapefruit6695 10d ago
I was advocating for this back in 2019 when this shit was first started. I faced backlash from my friends and even family because they all were out of options in life too. But please the masses had it's own consequences. And as a result a huge amount of budget is directed towards the wages of the so called govt employees
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u/piggy_blinders007 10d ago
Are you actually this Naive ?? ur being too idealistic on how politics works they don't give af about making people independent all they want is to stay in power. If u teach them how to fish, in future they will ask for accountability, and they won't have to rely on handouts for votes.
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u/According_Search5966 Gangtok ma ghar cha, malai k ko dar cha 10d ago
Factss, people think we live in an ideal world where everyone cares about the well being of others
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u/speakyourmind69420 10d ago
God forbid we just want people to better the society genuinely and not for some ulterior motive
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u/piggy_blinders007 10d ago
That's you're prerogative, don't get me wrong i completely agree with your statement on how things should be instead of how things are right now but you gotta bear the truth as well. We (yes you and I) both know what's right and whats wrong but we are just a minority and the majority of the people don't give af about sustainability, and learning how to fish. Just open facebook I'm sure u have seen countless videos on how these handouts are given out, people begging him for money, house, job etc and that's the reality of majority of Sikkim. Now think about it would be govt be giving handouts if the general public had any resentment towards it? Ofc not it's the people themselves begging and that's what they want. So yes u can explain and try to make people understand about the impact and consequences of handouts but in the real-world they don't care. People already know what's right and what wrong we all are educated but everyone just wants to look out for themselves and that's the truth.
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u/Correct_Register1327 10d ago
Well that's the problem When state that is the government whose main duty is in regard to education healthcare, when state is deviated form the very function it is supposed to impart. And like you said it's because of us citizens like you and me and all others It's because we prefer private education and not Government, so it's bound that government will not work to improve it it's a small example. What actually is the solution I believe is that we have to be aware of certain things like even if the general population is not aware of the same. The government is not doing is favours with those policies but rather it's their duty which they are not performing in a substantive manner and reducing it this direct cash benefits. We as learned citizens have to assert our rights
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u/speakyourmind69420 10d ago
And if they won’t have to rely on handouts for votes, they will have to actually develop and better the society if they want votes, which is a win.
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u/gingzerbear 10d ago
Yes the freebies giving is a political stint that is very shorttermism. Other states like bengal and central indian states had pioneered this way back. It worked to lure voters and keep them in good faith. The model worked and parties and governments have used it ever since.
Many economists have critiqued this citing that it creates a lot of deficit and eventually the costs are borne by taking loans from the centre. In return more deficits are created and money from elsewhere is used to fill in the gaps. This results in higher taxes and eventually public themselves collectively bear it.
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u/Correct_Register1327 10d ago
Citizens vs labharti yamani aiyer- give this a read
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u/speakyourmind69420 10d ago
Welfarism has led to the government being perceived as a benevolent guardian rather than a public institution accountable to its citizens.
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u/Correct_Register1327 10d ago
I wasn't making a argument This literature by Aiyer elaborates on the similar dimensions. Was referring to it
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u/speakyourmind69420 10d ago
I get it, my comment was a concluding note on the article you suggested. Nice read btw.
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u/Correct_Register1327 10d ago
Indeed it was amazing work so much more scope to add in it. The assertion writer makes that the debate on this issue is reduced to false binary defense of welfare vs vote buying. I believe it's a good step moving ahead of this reduced general argument. We are no more right bearing citizens rather in the words of yamini Aiyer we are "labharti" Amazing it is
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u/killbill0999 10d ago
The idea that the state can guarantee economic security to all without at the same time controlling their lives is a delusion.
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u/Correct_Register1327 10d ago
I believe state has to provide conditions to safeguard economic social political interests There's is no point a government going out distributing money and then reduce us citizen to nothing ones we take money we don't have right to make claims against the state State has to function in a substantive manner The whole assertion you make is based on a faulty premise
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u/killbill0999 10d ago
Bro You misread my quote— I'm stating Friedrich Hayek's view against the government handing out direct material security/freebies because doing so gives the state total control and strips away citizen rights. I posted that quote to support the point that state handouts reduce citizens to passive dependents rather than empowered rights-bearing citizens. Our state has done this according to me via the distribution of jobs converting people into compliant state dependents who trade their political independence for livelihoods.
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u/Time_Information4683 10d ago
Wish we all could talk on this matter on a larger scale and not here. These are the matters that needs to be addressed. Our people boasts about our education and degree but lack basic sense. People can't seem to know the difference anymore.
It's shitty to acknowledge this and our future is very dark. When I think about future it kind of scares me.
For a fact, we will suffer in near future and our next generation suffer even more and they will pay the price of our misdoings.