Supreme Court to hear plea against making Aadhaar mandatory for welfare schemes on May 17

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea against fresh notifications making it mandatory for citizens to quote Aadhaar for availing benefits of several welfare schemes.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice J S Khehar put the matter for consideration on May 17 before a vacation bench of two judges.

Mentioning the matter, senior advocate Shyam Divan contended that the government has come out with various notifications in recent times making it mandatory for people to cite their Aadhaar number for getting benefit of food, mid-day meal, scholarship schemes etc.

This was contrary to the apex court's direction made in 2015 that Aadhaar would not be made mandatory for availing social welfare schemes.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar submitted that it ought to be pointed out before the court that the previous orders were passed when there was no law. Now Parliament has passed legislation in this regard, he said.

The five-judge bench, hearing 'Triple Talaq' matter, said that all these points can be argued before the vacation bench of two judges on May 17. The PIL has been filed by Shanta Sinha, former chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.