SC order on Aadhaar card's validity is historic: Arun Jaitley
New Delhi, Sept 26 (IBNS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court's order on the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar card.
Jaitley also called the order as 'historic'.
"It is a historic order, Aadhaar's concept has been accepted after judicial review, we welcome this decision of Supreme Court," Jaitley said while addressing a press conference here.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar but stated that linkage of the 12-digit unique identity number with mobile phones and bank accounts is not mandatory, media reports said.
Saying Aadhaar has benefited several marginalised people, the top court suggested a few changes in the government scheme.
Reading out the majority judgement, Justice AK Sikri said Aadhaar must take minimum information of an individual.
Justice Sikri also said no private company can ask for Aadhaar number. Likewise, schools can't also ask for Aadhaar during admission of students.
However, Aadhaar has been kept mandatory for filing Income Tax returns and PAN card by the apex court.
In a significant move, the Supreme Court said illegal immigrants will not get the benefits of Aadhaar.
The personal data can only be shared by Joint Secretary or an official above the former in national interest.
Union Ministers @arunjaitley, @rsprasad, @manojsinhabjp to brief Press on #Cabinet decisions https://t.co/IN570rixT6
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 26, 2018
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