Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking governments not to offer freebies ahead of elections, saying this would be "very dangerous" for the development of the country, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought to know if it is wrong to provide quality education to underprivileged students for free.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 296-km Bundelkhand Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, Modi had cautioned people against what he called a "revari (sweet) culture" under which votes were sought by promising freebies and said this could be "very dangerous" for development of the country.
"Those with revari culture will never build new expressways, new airports or defense corridors for you. Those with this culture think people can bought with such freebies. Together we have to defeat this thinking and remove this culture from the politics of the country," he had said.
"I have been accused of handing out freebies. But is it wrong to provide quality education to underprivileged students for free? Over 18 lakh children study in our govt schools. Around four lakh students ditched pvt schools for public schools over past few years," the Delhi CM said.
Kejriwal said his government is not distributing freebies but laying foundation of country by providing free education and healthcare.
"We have turned around Delhi's government hospitals, built Mohalla clinics. Delhi is the only megacity in the world where each of the two crore people can get free treatment," the CM said.
Stating that in spite of offering so many things for free, Delhi government has budget surplus, he sought to know what is wrong in ending corruption and using that money to help the public.
