10-06-2017, 07:04 AM
Aadhaar is a unique 12-digit identity number issued to all Indian residents based on their biometric and demographic data. The data are compiled by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a statutory authority established on July 12, 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in accordance with the provisions Of the Aadhaar Act of 2016. The largest biometric identification system in the world, with more than 1,133 million enrolled as of March 31, 2017. As of this date, more than 99% of Indians over 18 years of age had been enrolled In Aadhaar. World Bank chief economist Paul Romer described Aadhar as "the most sophisticated identification program in the world."
Aadhaar is not a proof of citizenship, and does not grant any right of domicile in India. Prior to the enactment of the Act, UIDAI served as an adjunct office of the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) since 28 January 2009. On March 3, 2016, a money law was introduced in Parliament to provide support To Aadhaar. On March 11, 2016, the Aadhaar Law 2016 was approved in the Lok Sabha. On March 26, 2016, this Act was notified in the Gazette of India.
As of April 2017, a Constitutional Court of the Supreme Court of India is considering Aadhaar's legal validity on the right to privacy grounds. On September 23, 2013, the Supreme Court issued an interim order stating that "no one should suffer for not receiving Aadhaar," since the government can not deny a service to a resident if it does not possess Aadhaar, since it is Voluntary and not mandatory. In another interim order on 11 August 2015, the Supreme Court of India ruled that "UIDAI / Aadhaar will not be used for purposes other than PDS, kerosene and LPG distribution system" (order subsequently modified to include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme Gurantee, all kinds of pension plans, the pension fund employees and Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana), and made it clear that even to make use of these facilities Aadhaar card will not be mandatory. On 27 March 2017, the Supreme Court stated that Aadhaar can not be compulsory for benefits derived from social assistance schemes, although it may be mandatory for other purposes (such as income tax returns, bank accounts, etc.) .
Aadhaar is not a proof of citizenship, and does not grant any right of domicile in India. Prior to the enactment of the Act, UIDAI served as an adjunct office of the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) since 28 January 2009. On March 3, 2016, a money law was introduced in Parliament to provide support To Aadhaar. On March 11, 2016, the Aadhaar Law 2016 was approved in the Lok Sabha. On March 26, 2016, this Act was notified in the Gazette of India.
As of April 2017, a Constitutional Court of the Supreme Court of India is considering Aadhaar's legal validity on the right to privacy grounds. On September 23, 2013, the Supreme Court issued an interim order stating that "no one should suffer for not receiving Aadhaar," since the government can not deny a service to a resident if it does not possess Aadhaar, since it is Voluntary and not mandatory. In another interim order on 11 August 2015, the Supreme Court of India ruled that "UIDAI / Aadhaar will not be used for purposes other than PDS, kerosene and LPG distribution system" (order subsequently modified to include Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme Gurantee, all kinds of pension plans, the pension fund employees and Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana), and made it clear that even to make use of these facilities Aadhaar card will not be mandatory. On 27 March 2017, the Supreme Court stated that Aadhaar can not be compulsory for benefits derived from social assistance schemes, although it may be mandatory for other purposes (such as income tax returns, bank accounts, etc.) .
