Rajya Sabha passes Bill on voluntary use of Aadhaar as identity proof

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as proof of identity for users to open bank accounts and get mobile phone connection.

The amendment was passed by a voice vote. Last week, the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha amidst opposition from several quarters. 

The newly passed Bill also gives the Unique identification Authority of India, the agency that administers Aadhaar, the power to now give directions as it may consider necessary to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem. 

The Bill had also