Govt can make Aadhaar mandatory for opening bank accounts: SC

SC has made it clear the government cannot be barred from seeking these cards, which are issued by UIDAI, for `non-benefit` purposes like filing of IT returns and opening of accounts.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made it clear the government cannot be barred from seeking these cards, which are issued by UIDAI, for "non-benefit" purposes like filing of IT returns and opening of accounts.

The apex court, however, said that Aadhaar cards cannot be made mandatory by the government for extending benefits of social welfare schemes.

"The answer is this that for giving benefits of welfare schemes, it (Aadhaar) cannot be pressed. They (government and its agencies) cannot be stopped from seeking aadhaar for non-benefit schemes like opening of bank accounts," a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said.

The apex court on August 11, 2015 had said that Aadhaar cards will not be mandatory for availing benefits of government's welfare schemes and barred the authorities from sharing personal biometric data collected for enrollment under the scheme.

However, on October 15, 2015 it had lifted its earlier restriction and permitted the voluntary use of Aadhaar cards in welfare schemes that also included MGNREGA, all pension schemes and the provident fund besides ambitious flagship programmes like 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna' of the NDA government.

With PTI Inputs