The Supreme Court today allowed the Centre to link the Aadhaar card with the public distribution system (PDS) and LPG. But the court made it clear that Aadhaar will not be mandatory for availing any social benefit scheme.
The court said that the government was at liberty to use Aadhaar for PDS, especially distribution of food grains, kerosene oil and LPG with the rider that possession of the card will not be a condition for according benefits. It asked the government to give wide publicity in print and electronic media to let people know that it is not mandatory to obtain Aadhaar card.
The bench also told the Centre that no personal information of Aadhaar card holders shall be shared by the authorities concerned.