In what may be termed as a relief for the government and citizens, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the voluntary use of Aadhar cards which would not make it mandatory to possess the unique identification card in order to avail benefits under social welfare schemes.
The government has been trying to persuade the apex court to extend Aadhaar’s uses after a slew of blows to the unique identity or UID programme following privacy petitions.
After today’s verdict, the Aadhaar card can be used for availing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act, Jan-Dhan Yojana, provident funds and pension schemes.
The government’s UID scheme has been challenged in court over privacy issues as it uses biometrics like fingerprint and iris scans.