Delhi govt's move to make Aadhaar mandatory challenged

The Delhi High Court today referred to its larger bench a plea challenging Delhi government's guidelines making Aadhaar mandatory for getting a National Food Security card.

The petitioner pleaded that the apex court had, in its interim order of September 23 last year, said no person should suffer for not having an Aadhaar card and it is not mandatory for getting social welfare benefits.

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Justice Manmohan observed that the matter is before the Supreme Court and sent the matter to a larger bench of the high court which is likely to hear it on March 7.

The petition by Ram Kishan and others has sought quashing of the provision in Delhi government's guidelines issued under the National Food Security Act, "which requires submission of Aadhaar card and its details by a household for getting National Food Security Consumer Card".

The plea, filed through advocate Yogesh Kumar, also seeks a direction to the Department of Food and Public Supplies to accept the petitioners' application for the food security card without Aadhaar card and to supply them food grains as per existing norms and rates.

The National Food Security Act, which was enacted on September 12, 2013, with effect from July 5, 2013, aims to provide foodgrains to eligible households at subsidized prices through the public distribution system.

The petition submits that Delhi government's guidelines under the Act ask for Aadhaar details for identifying the eligible households and the last date for submission of the applications for the food security card is March 15.