Rajasthan is the latest in the long list of states offering free electricity to people. The free power scheme has deleterious impacts on resources and economics, endangering India's goal for an energy transition towards net-zero by 2070. The practice of doling out free power to farmers has increased water stress, jeopardising agricultural incomes and sustainability. It is also literally being penny-wise and pound-foolish in action by undermining the fiscal health of electricity distribution companies (discom).