Aadhar not mandatory, but can be used in PDS, LPG schemes: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the government to inform people that Aadhaar was not mandatory, but allowed its use in distribution of LPG, kerosene and PDS subsidy schemes for now, a move that may in effect deny these benefits to those who do not have a unique identification number.

In an interim order, a three-judge Supreme Court bench on Tuesday partially allowed the government to use Aadhaar cards to weed out the undeserving and plug leakages in PDS subsidy schemes, rolling back a 2013 order that completely banned use of Aadhaar in dispensing social security benefits of any kind.

The court, however, restrained the government from either sharing the personal information and biometrics collected under the Unique Identification Authority of India ( UIDAI) with any other entity or using it for any other purpose. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi gave assurance to this effect.

The interim order, issued by Justices Jasti Chelameswar, SA Bobde and CNagappan, also said it would not be mandatory for a citizen to obtain an Aadhaar card. Neither will production of an Aadhaar card be a condition for obtaining any benefits otherwise due to a citizen, the court said.

“The… Aadhaar card will not be used… for any purpose other than the PDS scheme and in particular for the purpose of distribution of food grains, etc., and cooking fuel such as kerosene. The Aadhaar card may also be used for the purpose of the LPG distribution scheme,” it said.