Congress challenges Aadhaar bill as money bill in SC

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said he has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Aadhaar bill being classified as a money bill.

The Lok Sabha had ealier rejected all the five amendments to the Aadhaar bill recommended by the Rajya Sabha and passed the bill by voice vote.

The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 was passed after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sought to allay apprehensions of the Opposition concerning the bill.

"I have filed a writ petition challenging Aadhaar bill as a money bill in the Supreme Court. It is important because declaring the Aadhaar bill as money bill violates Article 110 of the Constitution and has grave implications for the future of the Rajya Sabha itself," said Ramesh.

"We are likely to get the date of hearing on April 15," he added.

The Congress and other opposition parties had made a strong pitch against the overall nature of the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Since it was introduced as money bill by the government, the Aadhaar bill was passed by parliament. As per constitutional provisions, the Rajya Sabha has limited powers with respect to money bills.