New Delhi: In a setback for Centre, the Supreme Court on Tuesday maintained its order that Aadhar card is not compulsory for availing social benefits.
The apex court, however, agreed to give an urgent hearing to Centre on the issue.
The Centre alongwith three oil PSUs - IOCL, BPCL and HPCL - had sought an appeal seeking modification of its earlier order that Aadhaar card is not mandatory and no person should suffer for want of it in getting benefits of government schemes.
A bench headed by Justice B S Chauhan had on September 23 said, "In the meanwhile, no person should suffer for not getting the Aadhaar card in spite of the fact that some authority had issued a circular making it mandatory and when any person applies to get the Aadhaar card voluntarily, it may be checked whether that person is entitled for it under the law and it should not be given to any illegal immigrant."
The order had come during the hearing of a PIL filed by Justice K Puttaswamy, former high court judge, seeking to restrain the Centre, Planning Commission and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) from issuing Aadhaar cards by way of an executive order of January 28, 2009. The MOPNG, in its plea, had said the Aadhaar card was not necessary for the consumers who want to purchase unsubsidised LPG cylinders from the oil companies, but it is necessary for supply of subsidised cylinders in 54 districts in the country.
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