Supreme Court verdict: The Supreme Court said today that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for central welfare schemes. The apex court also added that it cannot stop the government from linking the 12-digit identification number to the opening of bank accounts or filing of tax returns.
The Government implemented to link Aadhaar card to benefit Center’s schemes
The center government ordered citizens that linking Aadhaar card’s 12 digit number will be mandatory to benefit of around 3 dozen central schemes including free mid-day meals for school children. Aadhaar was also made compulsory for scholarship and other schemes for backward castes ad the disabled. People are getting a subsidy on cooking gas while linking their Aadhaar card.
The apex court also said that a seven-judge bench has to be set up to hear the pleas challenging the Aadhaar but “right now it is not possible.”
Supreme Court verdict: Court had earlier refused to hear Aadhaar case
Earlier in January this year, the apex court had refused to expedite the hearing of Aadhaar cases challenging the constitutional validity of the scheme. It, but, observed that data collection by private agencies is not a good idea.
Chief Justice JS Khehar was headed the bench and made the remarks after senior advocate Shyam Divan sought urgent hearing of the plea citing privacy concern.
“We are not inclined to give immediate hearing as there are limited resources but biometric data collection by private agencies is not a great idea,” the bench also comprising Justices NV Ramana and DY Chandrachud said.
Critics have alleged that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), established in 2009, which runs the Aadhaar scheme, is getting biometric details through private agencies, which violated citizens’ fundamental rights.
