The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the Aadhaar Amendment Bill that allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as identity proof for opening bank accounts and procuring mobile phone connections.
The Aadhaar Amendment Bill, 2019, will be introduced in the ensuing session of Parliament, according to an official release. The amendment provides for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar.
The Bill, which replaces the Aadhaar Ordinance, seeks to effect changes in the Aadhaar Act such as giving a child an option to exit from the Unique ID programme on attaining 18 years of age.
“The decision would enable UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to have a more robust mechanism to serve the public interest and restrain the misuse of Aadhaar...,” the release said.
“Subsequent to this amendment, no individual shall be compelled to provide proof of possession of Aadhaar or undergo authentication for the purpose of establishing his identity unless it is so provided by a law made by Parliament,” it added.
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