Moily hints at moving SC on Aadhaar verdict

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerappa Moily said on Wednesday that the Aadhaar-linked direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme for subsidised LPG supply would continue.

The Centre would also soon approach the Supreme Court for “correction” of its ruling that said Aadhaar “can’t be tied” with government services.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Moily said he had already spoken to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chief Nandan Nilekani and Solicitor General of India Mohan Parasar regarding the SC judgment which said Aadhaar “can’t” be mandatory.

“We never intended to make Aadhaar mandatory and we will submit the same before the Supreme Court. We will submit that it (Aadhaar card) is only to ensure that government schemes and subsidies reach the beneficiaries. It is to eradicate corruption. At the same time, the DBT scheme for LPG will continue,” he said.

Moily said there is no change in the oil ministry’s recent decision to extend DBT scheme for LPG refill to 19 more districts, including Bangalore, in the state. The scheme is already in place in Tumkur, Mysore and Dharwad.

He said the DBT scheme was put in place to prevent leakages. “Aadhaar is not mandatory. But when something is beneficial, people will voluntarily come forward for enrolment. We are not panicky, we will explain to the Supreme Court,” he said.