India's Chief Economic Advisor V.
Anantha Nageswaran has issued a stark warning against the use of "free" services in public policy, describing the concept as economically destructive in the long run.
Speaking on Monday, Nageswaran argued that while zero-cost models may appear beneficial to consumers, they ultimately impose significant hidden costs on the economy and strain public finances.
The remarks highlight a growing debate within New Delhi over the sustainability of populist subsidy schemes.
Nageswaran, a key architect of India's economic strategy, emphasized that building infrastructure and delivering services without direct user fees often leads to inefficiencies and long-term fiscal burdens.
His comments suggest a push toward more market-aligned pricing mechanisms for public goods, even as the government faces political pressure to maintain popular welfare programs.