SC Slams Maharashtra Govt for ‘Wasting’ Funds on Freebies, Demands Land Compensation

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to the Maharashtra government, threatening to suspend its freebie schemes unless it compensates a private party whose land was allegedly “illegally” occupied by the state over six decades ago.

Expressing strong disapproval, the court slammed Maharashtra for having ample funds to spend on freebies while failing to compensate the landowner. The court noted that the state’s conduct did not reflect that of a “model state” and warned that all freebie schemes could be suspended until the compensation is paid.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and K V Viswanathan highlighted the significant difference between the compensation offered by the state—₹37.42 crore—and the ₹317 crore claimed by the applicant’s counsel. The state’s lawyer, Nishant R Katneshwarkar, requested three weeks to resolve the matter, stating that the issue is being reviewed at the highest levels.

The bench responded by granting the requested time but warned that it might issue an interim order halting all freebie schemes, including the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and ‘Ladka Bhau Yojana,’ if a satisfactory compensation proposal is not presented.

Justice Gavai stressed that while the court is not concerned with media headlines, it is deeply committed to protecting citizens’ rights. The bench noted that the applicant, despite winning in the Supreme Court, has had to fight for years to receive fair compensation.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 28, urging the state to propose a reasonable compensation plan. The bench warned that if the state fails to do so, it will issue orders to suspend the freebie schemes until the compensation is fully paid.