By PTI
New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI) RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has said the misuse of resources by states to dole out freebies such as free electricity is like a “cancer” in the economy and should be put an end to.
SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said state governments should follow the Centre in adopting fiscal prudence.
In an interview to PTI after the interim Budget for 2024-25, he said, “States were given more resources for development, but they chose to misuse these resources for freebies. This is very unfortunate. This is a kind of contagious disease, which is now causing a kind of cancer to the economy of the country.”
He said the misuse of resources meant for development is hampering growth and it is “very unfortunate” that states are becoming “too undisciplined” as far as expenditure is concerned.
Mahajan said this is leading to a rise in overall debt on the government, both the Centre and states, and is bringing the ratings by international rating agencies down.
“This is also making it difficult for our economy to attract investment at a lower rate of interest,” he noted.
This story was originally published in theweek.in. Read the full story here.