Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has strongly criticised India’s growing reliance on freebies, asserting that fostering entrepreneurship and job creation is the key to eradicating poverty.

Speaking at TiEcon Mumbai 2025, the billionaire entrepreneur declared that poverty in India could "vanish like dew on a sunny morning" if the nation prioritises innovative enterprises over handouts.

"I have no doubt that each of you will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and that is how you solve the problem of poverty. You do not solve the problem of poverty by freebies. No country has succeeded in that," the media reported quoting Murthy.

His remarks come amid a heated national debate over the distribution of free benefits, a strategy frequently employed by political parties to woo voters ahead of elections.

Currently, 80 crore Indians receive free food grains and financial assistance through monthly cash transfers.

The issue is also under judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court currently hearing a petition seeking to curb the culture of electoral freebies.

Last month, the apex court strongly criticised the trend, arguing that it discourages people from working and integrating into the mainstream economy.

The judges made these comments while reviewing a plea concerning housing for Delhi’s homeless.

Murthy Clarifies: "I Am Not a Politician"

Following the uproar over his comments, Narayana Murthy later clarified that his remarks were "not politically motivated" but rather "policy-driven recommendations".

He suggested that any government benefits should come with measurable incentives or responsibilities.

Citing free electricity schemes, he proposed that authorities conduct random surveys six months after implementation to assess whether such benefits positively impact society—such as encouraging children to study more or increasing parental involvement in their education.

Murthy also took aim at the hype around artificial intelligence, dismissing many AI solutions as "silly, old programmes" masquerading as cutting-edge technology.

As India grapples with balancing welfare support and economic growth, Murthy’s remarks have reignited discussions on whether long-term development should take precedence over short-term populist measures.

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