Aadhaar architect Nilekani supports mandatory linking
NEWDELHI: There’s nothing wrong in making Aadhaar mandatory for PAN cards or other public services, Nandan Nilekani said on Thursday, defending the government’s decision to expand the use of a controversial biometric ID project he helped create.
The 61-year-old appeared to row back on his previous position on the use of the 12-digit ID, which is supposed to cut wastage and fraud in distribution of state benefits, but which critics see as invasive and vulnerable to data breaches and government spying. As the first chief of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani rolled out Aadhaar a decade ago, insisting the use of the card would not be made mandatory and that it could not be made an instrument of government surveillance.
But speaking to HT , Nilekani supported a controversial legislation the government pushed through Parliament on Wednesday.
NEWDELHI:There’s nothing wrong in making Aadhaar mandatory for PAN cards or other public services, Nandan Nilekani said on Thursday, defending the government’s decision to expand the use of a controversial biometric ID project he helped create.
The 61-year-old appeared to row back on his previous position on the use of the 12-digit ID, which is supposed to cut wastage and fraud in distribution of state benefits, but which critics see as invasive and vulnerable to data breaches and government spying. As the first chief of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani rolled out Aadhaar a decade ago, insisting
Since more than a billion people already have the Aadhaar number, linking the two will go a long way in dealing with the issue of tax evasion NANDAN NILEKANI, UIDAI chief
the use of the card would not be made mandatory and that it could not be made an instrument of government surveillance.
But speaking to HT , Nilekani supported a controversial legislation the government pushed through Parliament on Wednesday that made Aadhaar mandatory for even filing tax returns and applying for PAN cards.
“It is a good idea. Linking Aadhaar to PAN will make the PAN number unique,” Nilekani said.
“We have seen many instances where people have held multiple PAN numbers and evade taxes. Since more than a billion people already have the Aadhaar number linking the two will go a long way in dealing with tax evasion and curbing black money.”
The government’s move has been criticised by experts, who say the Centre has unconstitutionally bypassed the Rajya Sabha and disregarded Supreme Court orders that had called for Aadhaar to not be made mandatory. But Nilekani disagreed, saying the decision couldn’t be seen as unconstitutional as amendments were introduced in the finance bill, which have been cleared by Parliament.
Critics say the amendments were introduced in this manner because the finance bill is a money bill, which doesn’t need the approval of the RS where the government is in a minority.
“There is a petition in the Supreme Court on the money bill aspect of the Aadhaar act. Let the court decide on it,” Nilekani said, referring to the 2016 law that governs the use of Aaadhar. He clarified it was the responsibility of every department to follow the act in its true spirit and not deny or exclude people from receiving entitlements due to lack of Aadhaar. “If any such case comes to light, it should be reported and the concerned departments should ensure the guidelines of the act are followed.”