In a setback to the central government, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to modify its 11 August order restricting the use of Aadhar card for distribution of foodgrain under PDS, the supply of kerosene oil and LPG.
The apex court bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar while declining, for now, referred a batch of petitions seeking clarification/modification of the 11 August order to the larger bench, saying that the main matter has been referred to the larger bench so the application seeking relaxation of the order too should be referred to it.
The court directed the registry to put all the applications seeking clarification/modification before Chief Justice H.L. Dattu for an appropriate order.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had said that the poor people’s right to privacy was sacrosanct and could not be bartered for getting benefits under social welfare schemes targeted at vulnerable and weaker sections of society.
“You are illiterate. You don’t know what you are parting with. Somebody is poor and starving. He does not have right to privacy?” asked a bench headed by Justice J.Chelameswar as senior counsel K.K.Venugopal said that a citizen’s right to larger benefits under socially beneficial schemes could not be frustrated by authorities insisting on Aadhaar card as identity proof.
