‘Govt can mine data for security’

The State can collect and store data for national security and welfare measures, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday while declaring right to privacy as an inalienable fundamental right.

“Data mining with the object of ensuring resources are properly deployed to legitimate beneficiaries is a valid ground for the state to insist on the collection of authentic data,” stated the lead judgment authored by Justice DY Chandrachud and seconded by Chief Justice JS Khehar, Justice RK Agrawal and Justice SA Nazeer.

Although the verdict did not delve into the Aadhaar law – under challenge before SC – the remarks are likely to embolden the government’s stand before a three-judge bench, constituted to determine the validity of the legislation.

The Centre has been pushing Aadhaar to plug leakages in its social schemes meant to uplift the marginalised.

“In a social welfare state, the government embarks upon programs which provide benefits to the impoverished and marginalised sections of society,” the bench said.

However, the data collected must not be utilised without authority for any extraneous purpose, so as to safeguard the legitimate concerns of the state and protect privacy concerns of citizens.

The legitimate concerns of the state would also include prevention and investigation of crime and protection of revenue.

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Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and the RBI emblem towards the right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait Reverse (Back)

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If Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) gets its way, Uttarakhand may soon get a “cow pilgrimage” centre.

In its latest meeting with chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, the saffron organisation has suggested that Katarpur, a village in Haridwar district, be developed as a cow pilgrimage site.

“Katarpur village of Hardiwar should be developed as a cow pilgrimage site. Many Hindus of this village were killed by Muslims and British during a protest against attempts to kill a cow in 1918. Four Hindus were hanged and 135 others jailed,” Dinesh Semwal, RSS prant pracharak, stated after meeting with Rawat.

Rekha Arya, the state’s minister of state (animal husbandary) said the government definitely endorsed idea of having a pilgrim spot focusing on cows.

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