Beneficiaries of welfare schemes don’t need to have Aadhaar, rules Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled out requirement of an Aadhaar card for availing benefits of government’s welfare schemes.

However, it added the government can surely make it mandatory for other things like opening bank accounts. The Apex Court said a seven-judge bench needs to be set up to hear the pleas challenging Aadhaar, and also that it is not possible as of now.

Also read: Keep your Aadhaar number ready while filing income tax return

The government has, on its part, already said nobody will be deprived of benefits due to lack of an Aadhaar card, since they can use alternate means of identification to receive benefits until an Aadhaar number is assigned.

Also read: World Bank is impressed with Aadhaar programme; says beneficial for the world if widely adopted

In October 2015, SC had lifted its earlier restrictions and permitted the voluntary use of Aadhaar cards for welfare schemes like MGNREGA, all pension schemes, the provident fund and flagship programmes like the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna' of the NDA government, along with LPG and PDS schemes.

There has been criticism about making Aadhaar cards mandatory, since UIDAI is said to be getting biometric details through private agencies, thus violating citizens' fundamental rights.

(Image source: Sound and Light)