Aadhaar Bill: All you need to know about the top 5 points of controversies

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Aadhaar Bill: The Narendra Modi government was keen on passing the Aadhaar Bill after making certain changes in it. This The Aadhaar Bill was brought by the previous UPA government, which was roundly criticised and opposed by PM Modi during the Lok Sabha campaign. But after assuming power at the Centre, he has backed Aadhaar despite Supreme Court’s ruling against making it mandatory for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT); the government went ahead to provide it constitutional authority. Though the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, opposition succeeded in scoring some brownie points by not allowing it to be cleared in Rajya Sabha unless some of its points were adopted. The Centre then decided to move ahead through other means. Here are top 5 controversies related to the bill you would want to know: (Express Photo)

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1. Aadhaar Bill as Money Bill: The government presented it as a money bill so that it does not require Rajya Sabha clearance where the ruling party is in minority. Since it was a money bill, Rajya Sabha neither can reject it nor can amend it. The Upper House has to return it within 14 days, failing which the Bill is considered passed by the lower house. Rajya Sabha can only suggest recommendations and those do not have to be agreed to by the Lok Sabha. (Express Photo)

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2. Aadhaar Bill Privacy issue: In the age of cyber crime, there is a chance that Aadhaar Bill can get exposed to data hacking and worse. Aadhaar has over one billion biometric data of citizens. Even the Apex Court has deliberated that privacy should be recognised as a fundamental right. But Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said if someone wants to avail government benefits, he has to enrol in such schemes. “You cannot stake a claim to the benefits and at the same time be unwilling to shed privacy concerns,” said Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha. (Express Photo)

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(3. Aadhaar Bill and 'opt out' option: Since the Supreme Court has already ruled against making it mandatory for DBT, opposition wanted a provision in the bill which provides individuals with an option to opt out of the system. An amendment moved by Jairam Ramesh during Rajya Sabha discussion over the Bill, suggested that it should allow a person to “opt out” of the system, even already enrolled and also to ensure that if a person chooses not to be a part of the system, then government would provide them with alternate means for availing subsidies and other benefits. Express Photo)

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4. Aadhaar only for DBT: This is one of the contentious points between the government and the opposition. The opposition wanted it to be used only for targeting government subsidies and benefits and sought to restrict Aadhaar’s use for any other purpose. (Express Photo)

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5. Aadhaar for non-citizens: Process for obtaining Aadhaar is quite easy and it does not verify on the spot that the person applying for it is Indian or not. Independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that government must take steps to prevent such a possibility. But at the end of the day, all of these points were bypassed by the Lok Sabha and the bill got passed in the lower house by voice vote. (Express Photo)