President approves `Aadhaar` ordinance |
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to an ordinance that allows voluntary use of the unique identification number also called `Aadhaar` as ID proof for obtaining mobile SIM cards and opening bank accounts. The bill for the same had passed in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament but could not get through Rajya Sabha or the Upper House. The union cabinet, last week, approved the promulgation of an ordinance to give effect to changes proposed in Aadhaar. The ordinance gives effect to the changes in the Aadhaar Act such as giving a child an option to exit from the biometric ID programme on attaining 18 years of age. The amendments to the act provide for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar and violation of privacy. According to the amendments, anyone not offering Aadhaar cannot be denied any service, be it opening of a bank account or obtaining a mobile phone SIM card. The amendments will enable UIDAI to have a more robust mechanism to serve the public interest and restrain the misuse of Aadhaar.
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