CEA Anantha Nageswaran says that public policy framed around providing resources as “free” can end up being costly and damaging. Speaking on the theme, he argues that what is labeled “free” often leads to waste and inefficient outcomes, and that this reflects a deliberate policy choice rather than an unavoidable trade-off. Nageswaran calls for revisiting how policy is designed for key resources, highlighting water as an example of an area where the current approach needs reassessment.
The outlets describing his remarks frame the statement as a caution against unpriced or broadly subsidised access that can distort usage and strain long-term sustainability. While the coverage is limited and does not detail specific policy measures or new proposals, it consistently emphasizes the central message: resource allocation should be reconsidered to avoid unintended consequences from “free” provisions. Overall, the reports present the comments as an argument for changing policy frameworks governing critical resources.
