Lok Sabha passes Aadhaar Bill; rejects amendments introduced by Rajya Sabha

After getting passed in Rajya Sabha, Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 has also been cleared by the Lok Sabha

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: For a second time, the Lok Sabha passed the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 on Wednesday after it was returned by the Rajya Sabha with recommendations for amendments.

The Lower House, however, rejected the amendments recommended by the Rajya Sabha.

Aadhar bill 2016 passed in Lok Sabha, amendments rejected. — ANI (@ANI_news) March 16, 2016

During the debate in the Upper House, the members, pressing for amendments, recommended that Aadhaar be made voluntary, disclosure of information should be permitted in the interest of public safety or public emergency, instead of national security, and the clause allowing private persons to use Aadhaar be deleted.

Introducing the bill in the Upper House earlier during the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley debated on security concerns stating that privacy was 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,” he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech for 2016-17 announced government plan to give statutory backing to Aadhaar.

The Lok Sabha had earlier passed the bill on March 11 (Friday).

Earlier during the day, the Rajya Sabha returned Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 to the Lok Sabha with amendments.