New Delhi: Amid government’s order to make Aadhaar mandatory for citizens for benefits under dozens of central schemes, in a major setback to the government, the Supreme Court on Monday said that the government cannot make Aadhaar mandatory for extending benefits of central welfare schemes, but added that it cannot stop the government from linking the 12-digit identification number to the opening of bank accounts or filing of tax returns.
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Recently, the government made it mandatory for citizens to produce the 12-digit Aadhaar number for benefits under dozens of central schemes – free mid-day meals for schoolchildren, scholarships, subsidized cooking gas and foodgrains and other schemes for backward castes and the disabled.
Aadhaar cards will also be needed for filing tax returns. The Centre has indicated that PAN cards could be invalidated by year-end if not linked with Aadhaar.
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A clutch of petitions challenging the orders, and Aadhaar, are pending in the SC. The apex court said a 7-judge bench has to be set up to hear the pleas challenging Aadhaar but right now it is not possible.