Aadhar card is not a mandate for availing government subsidy or benefits
Posted on: 30/Nov/2016 4:58:52 PM
The government has made a clear announcement that it will strictly follow the orders by Supreme Court which states that providing Aadhar card will not be a mandate for the public to avail any benefit due to them.
Those individuals who do not have Aadhar number can provide alternative identification to avail subsidy by the government, other benefits and services. According to the Aadhar Act, Section 7, if an individual is not assigned with the Aadhar number, alternate other identification shall be provided for availing subsidy or other benefits, says PP Chaudhary, the Minister of State for IT and Electronics.
In its interim order on 11th August 2015, the Supreme Court has directed that producing Aadhar card is not a condition to avail benefits.
Apart from PDS scheme, kerosene, and LPG subsidy, no others will require the Aadhar card, according to what apex court has instructed the government. This later got extended to MGNREGS, PMJDY, EPFO and National Social Assistance Program Pensions through the interim order dated 15th October 2015.
Chaudhary further added that through this order, the Supreme Court had also stated that providing Aadhar card is completely voluntary and this cannot be a mandate until a final call is taken by the court.
