New Delhi, Feb. 19 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday strongly criticised the distribution of "freebies" by political parties of all states and expressed concern over its impact on public finances.

The Court has said that instead of distributing resources through freebie schemes, the political parties should come up with planned policies that would offer schemes to improve the lives of people, such as unemployment schemes.

"The economic development of the nation will be hampered by this kind of largesse distribution. Yes, it is the State's duty to provide, but the ones who are enjoying freebies... is it not something that should be looked at?" Chief Justice of India Surya Kant verbally observed.

The CJI further observed, "States are runn...