The Centre has made Aadhaar mandatory for getting subsidised foodgrains or cash transfer of food subsidy from ration shops with effect from February 8.

The move comes despite the Supreme Court’s interim order in October 2015 allowing voluntary use of Aadhaar for getting benefits, but adding that no citizen could be denied a service or subsidy for not having an Aadhaar or unique identity number.

Issuing a notification dated February 8, 2017, the Food & Public Distribution Ministry said: “This condition will also be applicable for all the new beneficiaries. This notification shall come into effect from 08-2-2017 in all States and Union Territories, except the States of Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir.”

Beneficiaries under NFSA (National Food Security Act) not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, have been given time till June 30, 2017, the Ministry said in a statement.

To give the move legislative backing, the Modi government had introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill as a money Bill in March 2016, which was later passed by the Lok Sabha despite Opposition protests over its classification.

On Thursday, the Food Ministry said Aadhaar was made mandatory as subsidised foodgrains under the public distribution system and cash transfer of food subsidy under NFSA involved recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.

“The Aadhaar Act inter alia provides that the Central/State Government while making expenditure from Consolidated Fund of India for any subsidy, may require such individual to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo authentication,” the Ministry said.

It said till the Aadhaar was assigned to the beneficiaries, the entitlements shall be given on production of ration card and either Aadhaar Enrolment ID slip or copy of his/her request made for the same, along with any of the eight documents listed by it, such as voter ID card, PAN, passport, driving license etc.