The Supreme Court on Thursday said it intends to strike a balance between the country’s economy and citizens’ access to “freebies” promised by parties at the time of elections.

The court declined to accept a suggestion for de-registering of political parties offering freebies. It invited suggestions from all stakeholders on dealing with the issue and posted the matter for further hearing to August 17.

“The economy losing money and welfare of people, both have to be balanced, that’s why this debate and there must be someone to put thoughts to the vision.

You please give us something (suggestions) next week before my retirement,” Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said while hearing a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay.

“I don’t want to look into the aspect of de-registration. That’s an anti-democratic thing. We are a democracy after all,” the CJI added.

The Centre told the court that if freebies are not curbed, it would “lead to an economic disaster”.

CJI Ramana said that in a country like India where poverty is widespread, issues like freebies cannot be ignored, but at the same time concerns relating to fiscal discipline must also be simultaneously addressed.