'Free is the most expensive word in public policy,' says CEA Nageswaran
- Posted on August 3, 2026
- By Business News Today
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- 1 min read
In brief
India's Chief Economic Advisor emphasizes that subsidizing essential services creates false affordability while straining public finances and infrastructure development. During a CII summit in Tamil Nadu, V Anantha Nageswaran highlighted how below-cost pricing discourages efficient resource management and diverts funds from maintenance. He advocates for transparent pricing mechanisms combined with targeted assistance programs that directly benefit economically disadvantaged populations, ensuring sustainable utility delivery.
Summary auto-generated by AI from the original publisher's content. Editorial standards.
'Free is the most expensive word in public policy,' says CEA Nageswaran
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran warned that offering utilities like water below cost undermines infrastructure, encourages waste and weakens investment. Speaking at the CII Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Summit, he said users must pay fair prices while the government should directly support the vulnerable.
