UIDAI Terms SC’s Aadhaar Verdict a Victory, Lists its Benefits

UIDAI welcomed “the landmark majority judgment of SC” that upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar scheme.

Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: iStock/Altered by The Quint)

The UIDAI on Wednesday, 26 September, termed the Supreme Court judgment upholding Aadhaar as a constitutionally valid scheme as a victory.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told PTI that the 4:1 apex court judgment announced on Wednesday is in favour of Aadhaar.

It is a 4:1 judgment in favour of Aadhaar. The court has declared Aadhaar constitutionally valid. It is a money bill. It can be used for PAN card. It empowers the poor and marginalised sections. Aadhaar can be used for subsidies and government schemes so that there is no leakage of government funds. It can be used for income tax so that tax evasion and black money can be curbed.

UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey to PTI

Reading out the majority judgment on Aadhaar, Justice AK Sikri upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar, but with conditions. Justice DY Chandrachud, meanwhile, made a dissenting judgment declaring the Aadhaar scheme unconstitutional.

Justice Sikri struck down Section 57 of Aadhaar Act permitting private entities to avail Aadhaar data and ruled that Aadhaar authentication data cannot be stored for more than six months.

Reacting to the court order of annulling section 57, Pandey said:

The court has restricted private usage (of Aadhaar) without any backing of Law. Same has been suggested by Justice Shrikrishna Committee.

UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey to PTI

'This is a Landmark Judgment in Favour of Aadhaar': Nandan Nilekani

Meanwhile, former UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani called the SC’s verdict a “landmark judgment in favour of Aadhaar”.

More than just opining on the constitutionality of the act, the Supreme Court has unequivocally validated the founding principles for Aadhaar... The resident was once again recognised as being at the heart of the project, and they have gained new rights that help them assert their ownership over their data. Aadhaar has undergone the ultimate scrutiny in the highest court, and a lot of recommendations have been incorporated. Through the democratic process of discussion and debate, we have created a better and stronger Aadhaar together.

Former UIDAI chairperson Nandan Nilekani

(With inputs from PTI.)