November 29, 2024 14:00 (IST)
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Aadhaar Bill: Passed in Lok Sabha despite protests from Opposition
New Delhi, Mar 11 (IBNS) The BJP-led government got the Aadhaar Bill passed in the Lok Sabha on Friday despite protests from the Opposition that details collected may compromise the privacy of individuals.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley presented the Aadhaar Bill as a money bill, which the Opposition termed as a 'conspiracy' because once a money bill is passed in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha can only discuss it but cannot make amendments. If the money bill is not discussed within 14 days of being tabled in the Rajya Sabha, it is "deemed passed".
The Opposition claimed that the government presented it as a money bill to bypass the Rajya Sabha where the latter is a minority.
Biju Janata Dal's Bhartruhari Mahtab said that the bill should not be rushed and instead be referred to a parliamentary panel.
Opposition parties are contemplating seeking the President's intervention, according to reports.
Replying to allegations of privacy being compromised, the minister said all information will be kept confidential.
A brainchild of former Infosys man Nandan Nilekani, Aadhaar card is an outcome of the unique identification project initially conceived by the Planning Commission as an initiative that would provide identification for each resident across the country and would be used primarily as the basis for efficient delivery of welfare services.
Jaitley, while presenting the bill told the Congress that it was their baby. "It's the same agency, there is no political difference. We added to the initiative you started," he said.
Jaitley said 97 percent of adults are already members of Aadhaar and children will be included soon.
He said five to seven lakh people are joining it every day.
It would also act as a tool for effective monitoring of various programs and schemes of the Government.
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