Union Finance Minister stresses the need for governments to diversify sources of income

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said a government that planned to dole out freebies must ensure that they have adequate sources of income to sustain the programme during its full tenure of five years.

Participating in an interactive session on the opening day of Bharat Shakti Pondy Lit Fest 2026 in Puducherry, the Finance Minister said any government that planned to go the welfare route should take a “dispassionate” view on whether the programme was sustainable with adequate financial resources at its disposal for implementation.

“There is nothing to sensationalise the subject of freebies/welfare measures adopted by a government. Be it Centre or State. Any government that plans welfare schemes should first think whether I have put it in the budget and whether it is sustainable for five years. If it is sustainable we can remove the programme from the category of freebies,” she said.