Aadhaar gets statutory status; Centre to bring Bill in two days

The Centre is set to introduce the Aadhar Bill in Parliament over the next couple of days to give the platform a statutory backing, a move that will expand its range of utility in providing government benefits. “I will introduce in one or two days. It is ready. I have also given notice,” Jaitley said while referring to his announcement on Aadhaar.

Watch video: The Big Picture Of Arun Jaitley’s Budget 2016

“We will undertake significant reforms, such as the enactment of a law to ensure that all government benefits are conferred upon persons who deserve it, by giving a statutory backing to the Aadhar platform,” he said in speech for Union Budget 2016-17.

Till date, over 98 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated. The Aadhaar numbers have been seeded in 11.19 crore DBTL (direct benefit transfer of LPG) accounts out of total 16.5 crore beneficiaries. A National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010, is already pending in the Rajya Sabha.

It has been suggested that all benefits, subsidies or services funded from the consolidated fund of India should be through Aadhaar platform.

Jaitley said that a critical component of minimum government and maximum governance is to ensure targeted disbursement of government subsidies to actual beneficiaries. “First, we will introduce the targeted delivery of financial and other subsidiary benefits services by using the Aadhaar framework. The bill will be introduced in the current budget session of Parliament,” the
minister said.

“The Aadhaar number or authentication shall however not confirm any rights of citizenship or domicile,” he said. The finance minister added that the public money should reach the poor and deserving without any leakage.