Despite opposition, government passes contentious Aadhaar Amendment Bill

"No services will be denied if an individual does not possess Aadhaar"

aadhaar-rep-image Representational image | Reuters

Despite criticism by the Opposition parties over privacy, data protection and likely mandatory nature for Aadhaar card, the Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar Amendment Bill 2019. IT and Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the legislation aims to provide a mechanism to extend the welfare benefits to the poor, even allowing voluntary use to private sector to avail services like opening a bank account or a mobile connection.

Replying to concerns raised by the Lok Sabha members, Prasad argued that the Parliament should exercise its supremacy over the Supreme Court when it comes to making laws, and the Opposition benches should not object to the bill when the people of the country have no objection to Aadhaar being used for availing services. The minister said even while Aadhaar is being allowed to be used for authentication, it was by no means mandatory. It was voluntary in nature.

The minister said that no services will be denied if an individual does not possess Aadhaar. After the passing of the bill, it will go to the Rajya Sabha.

Speaking during a discussion over the bill, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan said the NDA government has appropriated the Aadhaar scheme brought forth by the UPA government. He argued that the use of Aadhaar under the UPA regime was aimed at preserving the right to privacy of the people, but now it was being breached.

Congress MP Manish Tewari said Aadhaar should come with a provision of right to be forgotten, which means that a person can cancel his Aadhaar card if he so desires.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra said, “There is no standard of privacy and security today. There is no Data Protection Act. In the absence of data protection, how can you ask me to give up my information to a private agency? This is integral to the bill, you can't have the cart before the horse.”

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that the Supreme Court had nullified the marriage between the state and private players, but the government was bringing it back.

NCP MP Supriya Sule said, “People's data is allowed to benefit private sectors, and it's shameful. If 65 cr people connected their mobile phones to Aadhaar, it's because there was no other option.”

In his reply, the minister said the issue was in the court before they came to power. The new law will make it easier for Aadhaar to be used for roll out of services by the government and private sector.

Prasad assured the house that there were sufficient provisions to prevent the misuse of the data, and in no way would it be allowed to invade the privacy.

The bill titled 'The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019' was introduced in Lok Sabha on June 24, 2019. It replaces an ordinance promulgated on March 2, 2019.   The bill allows for voluntary verification of Aadhaar number holder for authentication as a proof of identity.  

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