Aadhaar deadline extended for welfare schemes, including subsidised farm loans, free LPG, kerosene

The government today told the Supreme Court that it will extend the deadline to furnish Aadhaar details to avail social benefits to December 31. Various petitioners have challenged the validity of Aadhaar and government's move to make it mandatory for welfare schemes.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan who is representing petitioners in Aadhaar case today sought early hearing in the matter. Divan's early hearing argument was based on September deadline. However, Attorney General today said, "We will extend it to December 31."

After the central government's extension, the apex court said the urgency was no longer there and listed the matter in the first week of November. The apex court last week settled a long-standing debate on privacy, saying the right of privacy is a fundamental right. The highest court said: "Right to Privacy is an integral part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty guaranteed in Article 21 of the Constitution."

Ever since this historic verdict - right to privacy a fundamental right- was pronounced, it has been speculated that this judgement could draw some lines for the Centre which has made Aadhaar mandatory for some of the government-run welfare schemes. The court will resume Aadhaar hearing in November, but the central government has already made 12-digit identity card mandatory for some of the social welfare schemes.

Subsidised farm loans: Earlier in August, the RBI said farmers can avail short-term crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakh at subsidised interest rate of 7 per cent that could go down to 4 per cent on prompt repayment. In a notification to all banks, it said: "To ensure hassle-free benefits to farmers under the Interest Subvention Scheme, the banks are advised to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for availing of short-term crop loans in 2017-18."

Free LPG connections: The government has also made Aadhaar mandatory for those who wish to avail free cooking gas or LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had issued an order saying, "Individual desirous of availing LPG subsidies are hereby required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar or undergo Aadhaar authentication."

Kerosene subsidy: Earlier in June, the government announced that Aadhaar card would be mandatory for subsidy on purchase of kerosene. Those availing kerosene subsidy will now be required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo the enrolment process to get the benefits, officials said. The last date to get the Aadhaar for getting the subsidy was September 30, however, today it was extended.

Food-grains subsidy: The government in February made Aadhaar mandatory for availing subsidised foodgrains from the ration shops with a view to better target Rs 1.4 lakh crore subsidy under the food security law. The Department of Food and Consumer Affairs issued a notification under Aadhaar Act which said that individual beneficiaries having ration cards under NFSA need to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive subsidies under NFSA.