Centre says Aadhaar not compulsory to get benefits
Our Correspondent /
The Rajya Sabha today witnessed uproarious scene as opposition members disrupted proceedings protesting against making Aadhaar card mandatory for availing government benefits like subsidised LPG, PDS supplies and pensions.
Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi party, Derek O’ Brien of the Trinamool Congress and Dilip Kumar Tirkey of the Biju Janata Dal raised the issue when the House met for the day. The members said, poor people are not able to get the benefits from the Centre due to non-availability of the AADHAAR cards.
Replying to the allegations, Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, AADHAAR card is not compulsory for getting central benefits under Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme. He said, AADHAAR card will not be made compulsory till everybody in the country is covered.
Mr Naidu said, the government is aware of the problem and necessary instructions will be issued in this direction. He also said, the process to register AADHAAR cards will be expedited to cover the entire country.
Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari repeatedly appealed the members to allow the Question Hour. Not heeding to his appeals, the opposition continued to raise slogans. This forced the Chair to adjourn the House till 2 pm.