Controversy over SC verdict on Aadhar Cards, Sheila Dikshit awaits Central directive

Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling which stated that Aadhar cards are not mandatory for important public services, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said that crores of rupees have been spent on Aadhar cards, and added that the state government should be notified once the Central Government discusses this matter.

“99 percent people here have Aadhar cards and we have spent crores of rupees on it. After the Central Government looks into the matter we will see what to do. If we are allowed to link social schemes with Aadhar, then we will do it. But as of now, we will wait for the reports,” she told media here today.

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court y ruled that Aadhar cards are not mandatory to avail essential services from the government. A bench of Justices BS Chauhan and SA Bobde said, "The Centre and state governments must not insist on Aadhar cards from citizens before providing them essential services."

In a PIL filed by Justice KS Puttaswamy, a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court, he had had also sought an immediate stay on the implementation of the scheme, and stated that Aadhar is being made mandatory for purposes like registration of marriages and others. Maharashtra government has recently said no marriage will be registered if parties don't have Aadhar cards. The court asked the government not to issue Aadhar cards to illegal migrants in the country.

The Centre, in its reply, claimed that Aadhar card is a voluntary project, and added that the consent of an individual was indispensable. It further said that this imitative was aimed to promote inclusion and benefits of the marginalised sections of the society that has no formal identity proof.