Aadhaar (Amendment) Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Aadhaar and and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha today. It will replace an ordinance issued in March this year and proposes stiff penalties for violation of norms.

The Bill seeks to amend Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016, the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. The Bill also proposes give children an option to exit from the biometric ID programme on attaining 18 years of age.

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Premachandran of RSP opposed the introduction of bill saying that it violates an earlier Supreme Court judgment and allows private entities to store. Allaying concerns, Mr Prasad said, Aadhaar is in national interest and it does not violate privacy.

He said, he wants to reassure that there is no mandatory compliance because SIM cards can be taken with or without Aadhaar. The bill makes provision for allowing voluntary use of Aadhaar as an identity proof for opening bank accounts and getting mobile phone connection.