Even among such schemes, the court had allowed the Centre to insist on Aadhaar for programmes such as MGNREGA, gas subsidies, PDS rations and Jan Dhan Yojna. "Minus the benefits under social welfare schemes, we think the government can insist on Aadhaar as identification document. If someone wants to open a bank account or get a mobile phone connection, it can insist on Aadhaar as there is no welfare scheme benefit involved in it. Why cannot the government insist on Aadhaar for filing of income tax returns? "The issue has assumed tremendous urgency as the government is violating the interim orders by making Aadhaar mandatory even when the substantive challenge to its constitutional validity is pending," Divan said.

Source: Times of India March 27, 2017 19:48 UTC