Promising ‘Revri’ Is Easy, But Who Will Provide the Sugar to Make It?
THE RISING TREND of political parties offering cash incentives and freebies, such as cash transfers to women in Maharashtra and other states, is rapidly becoming a dangerous practice that threatens the financial stability of India’s states.
While these schemes, often cloaked under the guise of empowerment, may secure short-term electoral gains, they carry long-term economic consequences that could push states toward financial chaos.
In particular, the promises made by the Mahayukti in Maharashtra and the INDI alliance could, in due course, create an unsustainable fiscal burden, ultimately undermining the very welfare programs they claim to bolster.
Fiscal Fallout in Maharashtra
One of the most significant promises of the Maharashtra Mahayukti government is the cash transfer of ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per month to empower women.
While this policy appears to be a progressive step, the financial cost of these handouts is staggering. With an estimated ₹63,000 crore needed annually, this initiative alone is poised to place severe fiscal strain on the state’s economy.
The overall cost of implementing these electoral promises is pegged between ₹1.55 lakh crore and ₹1.70 lakh crore annually. To put this in perspective, these commitments range from agricultural subsidies to job creation schemes.
The key question remains: Can these promises ever be fulfilled without pushing Maharashtra into economic turmoil?
Adding to this burden is the ‘Mukhya Mantri Bahan Beti Swabalamban Yojana,’ which pledges ₹1,000 per month to economically disadvantaged women. This initiative alone is projected to cost ₹12,000 crore annually, compounding the already precarious financial situation.
The Jharkhand Dilemma
Similar promises in Jharkhand from the JMM-Congress alliance illustrate the burgeoning crisis. With commitments totaling ₹49,550 crore annually, the fiscal health of the state is under direct threat.
These schemes—ranging from free electricity to subsidies for LPG cylinders and free education for girls up to the Ph.D. level—are laudable on paper but will require significant financial resources. Jharkhand’s already fragile financial situation exacerbates the risk of spiraling into debt, leaving little room for other critical welfare programs essential for the state’s long-term stability.
Broader Implications
In Maharashtra, the repercussions are equally alarming. Farm loan waivers, combined with subsidies on agricultural produce, food distribution, and housing, are expected to cost between ₹52,000 crore and ₹62,000 crore annually.
When combined with job creation, pensions, and other support schemes, these policies are likely to push the state’s fiscal deficit beyond manageable levels. The Vision Maharashtra 2029 plan, a long-term development strategy, adds another layer of financial strain, with total costs potentially reaching a staggering ₹1.70 lakh crore annually.
This troubling pattern of offering extensive freebies in exchange for votes is not limited to Maharashtra or Jharkhand. Across states, political parties are prioritizing short-term electoral gains over the long-term economic health of their regions. While such promises resonate with voters, their broader economic implications are grave. Financial experts have repeatedly warned that these schemes, though politically expedient, can lead to fiscal instability, increased borrowing, and, eventually, economic collapse.
Revisiting Modi’s Warning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s early warnings against the “Revri culture” in 2016 must now be revisited with urgency. His critique was not mere political rhetoric but a stark caution about the risks of unsustainable welfare schemes.
Ironically, while the BJP has also employed similar strategies to bolster its electoral fortunes, it continues to criticize other parties for indulging in the same practices. This selective application of welfare policies highlights the contradictions in India’s political landscape.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s candid remarks on the ‘Ladli Behen Yojana’ are especially noteworthy. Gadkari wisely cautioned against this initiative, recognizing its potentially disastrous fiscal implications. He highlighted how such schemes could derail other essential social welfare programs by draining state resources, ultimately harming the very people they aim to uplift.
A Looming Crisis
The economic fallout of these policies is not just theoretical; it is a real and present danger. The “Revri culture” threatens to hollow out the economy, pushing states further into debt and creating situations where governments cannot fulfill their other crucial responsibilities. The Himachal Pradesh government, for instance, has already found itself struggling to meet even basic financial obligations such as salaries and pensions, let alone implementing new welfare programs.
The crux of the issue lies in the growing Machiavellian tendencies within political parties, where the pursuit of power has become an end in itself.
These populist measures—driven by the need to win elections at any cost—are pushing India’s states toward fiscal collapse. Voters, meanwhile, are falling prey to these empty promises, often unaware that they come with a high price tag—one that could jeopardize their future prosperity.
Conclusion
The current trajectory of welfare promises and “Revri culture” is perilous. It is imperative that political parties, while seeking electoral victory, pay heed to the economic sustainability of their promises.
Without a careful balance between electoral populism and fiscal responsibility, these policies will ultimately lead to economic collapse. The relentless pursuit of power through ethically dubious and financially unsound promises risks leaving states grappling with the consequences of a debt-ridden future. 
Also Read: What Drives Indian Voters?
K. S. Tomar
The writer, a senior political analyst, is a former Editor of the Hindustan Times' Rajasthan edition and has spent nearly four decades in journalism, including a six year stint in Nepal where he covered Sino-India-Nepal complex relationship and had a ringside seat to the Himalayan Kingdom's transition into democracy.
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