Aadhaar Bill passes through Parliament

The Aadhaar Bill was deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday after the Lok Sabha rejected the amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha.

The bill aims to give statutory backing to the unique identification number scheme for better targeting of subsidies. The Rajya Sabha returned the Aadhaar (targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services) Bill, 2016, with five amendments moved by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

The Opposition took advantage of its superior numbers in the Rajya Sabha and forced amendments to embarrass the government. Also, the Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress and the Biju Janata Dal members walked out of the



House.

Within hours after the Rajya Sabha returned the Bill, the Lok Sabha took it up for consideration. The government had the last laugh with the Lower House rejecting the suggestions made by the Upper House.

CPM member Mohd Salim and Trinamool MP Sugata Bose spoke in favour of amendments related to right to privacy and national security.

While replying to the debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said privacy is not an absolute right, adding that if an individual wants a benefit from the government, he has to choose either the benefit or the identity.

After a voice vote, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses of Parliament.