Now, you may have to link Aadhaar to your Voter ID

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is considering linking Aadhaar number to voter identification cards 'for various electoral services', MoS for Electronics and Information Technology P P Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The move will be introduced "at an appropriate time," Chaudhary said.

Last month, the ECI filed an application to the Supreme Court (SC) asking to obtain the Aadhar details of voters so that it can be linked to their database.

In 2015, the ECI had launched National Electoral Roll Purification & Authentication Programme (NERPAP) to link Aadhar numbers to their database.

However, the SC passed an interim order stating that: “The unique identification number or the Aadhaar card will not be used by the respondents for any purpose other than the PDS scheme and in particular for the purpose of distribution of foodgrains, etc. and cooking fuel such as kerosene.”

The government has already made Aadhaar compulsory for PAN, filing income tax returns online and subsidies among others. Earlier reports also suggest that the government is mulling making Aadhaar mandatory for real estate deals and driving license.