The Congress today welcomed the Supreme Court order partially staying implementation of provisions in the Income Tax (I-T) Act making Aadhar mandatory for allotment of PAN cards and filing of income tax returns (ITRs).
The party also hit out at the BJP for opposing and criticising it for introducing a unique thing like 'Aadhar' during UPA regime.
"This is a welcome decision. Probably the highest court has realised that the privacy issue regarding individuals is very serious," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said.
He said the matter was still there in the constitutional bench to decide.
At the party briefing, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi welcomed the Supreme Court order and said 'Aadhar' was something that UPA government introduced and something about which it was clear about as to what the responsibility and area of focus would be.
She said this is the same BJP which went out of its way to criticise the Congress for introducing something as unique as this.
"As far as security concerns matter, over 1.3 crore 'Aadhar' data leaked, is something that the government cannot deny and needs to look in to.
"Linking 'Aadhar' to all social welfare schemes like mid-day scheme is something which goes beyond the purpose of 'Aadhar' for what it was initially thought of," Chaturvedi said.
This is something, she said, even the Supreme Court has spoken about and something we had agreed with it.
Referring to Aadhar card required for mid-day meals, she said that is an "overdrive" as there are other means to authenticate students.
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