A day after Supreme Court observed that Aadhaar card was not mandatory for availing of government services, the government plans to approach the court for a "correction".
Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily said he has spoken to Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran on the issue. "I think they are approaching the Supreme Court for a correction. I cannot say anything more now."
He, however, said the planned roll out of Aadhaar-based cash subsidy payout to cooking gas (LPG) will continue as planned.
"It will not be effected," he said.
The Direct Benefit Transfer on LPG makes it mandatory for a household consumer to have an Aadhaar number for getting cash subsidy after a three month grace period in districts where it is being rolled out.
Hearing a petition against the Aadhaar scheme which petitioners had contended was unconstitutional, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said that, "no person should suffer for getting the Aadhaar card inspite of the fact that some authority had issued a circular making it mandatory.
"And when any person applies to get Aadhaar card voluntarily, it may be checked whether that person is entitled for it under the law and it should not be given to any illegal immigrant."
Meanwhile, Minister for Planning Rajeev Shukla said a bill to provide statutory status to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) that issues the cards, will be pushed in the winter session of Parliament.
