Aadhaar can’t be made mandatory for availing benefits under social welfare schemes: Supreme Court to Govt

New Delhi: In a setback to the Centre, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the government cannot make Aadhaar mandatory for extending benefits of its welfare schemes.
The apex court, however, said that government cannot be stopped from using Aadhaar in other schemes like opening of bank accounts.
The top court further observed that a 7-judge bench has to be set up to hear the pleas challenging Aadhaar, but right now it was not possible.
The government has recently decided to make Aadhaar number mandatory for filing of Income Tax returns and compulsory linking it with your Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.
The government has made Aadhaar mandatory for availing crop insurance policies from the upcoming kharif sowing season.
After cooking gas LPG, the government made Aadhaar mandatory for availing subsidised foodgrains from the ration shops with a view to better target Rs 1.4 lakh crore subsidy under the food security law.
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All existing subscribers of mobile services will have to go for Aadhaar-based re-verification soon, with the government instructing telecom operators to initiate the process.