Arun Jaitley introduces Aadhaar Bill in Rajya Sabha; says privacy not absolute right

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Starting the discussion on Aadhaar Bill, Jaitley said that privacy is not an absolute right. “Privacy not an absolute right, it is subject to a restriction that it can be restricted by a procedure established by law,” Jaitley added.

As per the Bill, information collected under Aadhaar may be disclosed in the interest of national security, or on the orders of a court.

Talking on UID, Jaitley said “the UPA bill was just for the creation of a UID authority, it was not a money bill. That bill today stands altered.”

Under the Bill, the UID authority is responsible for the security and confidentiality of identity information and authentication records. There may be situations in which members or employees of the UID authority are responsible for a security breach.

The bill was introduced as a money bill in Lok Sabha. Once a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha or Upper House can only discuss it and not make amendments. It also has to discuss the bill immediately as a money bill, if not discussed within 14 days of being tabled in the Rajya Sabha, it is "deemed passed".