Mamata welcomes SC verdict on Aadhar for welfare schemes

Welcoming the Supreme Court's order that Aadhar cannot be made mandatory for availing benefits under social welfare schemes, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asserted the Centre has no right to impose its decision on people.

"We welcome the SC order on Aadhar card. Government cannot impose it (decision) on people. Centre cannot make Aadhar mandatory for social schemes," Banerjee said at the end of a tribal development council meeting here.

The Trinamool Congress supremo who is on a five-day tour to north Bengal, termed hindering poor people from participating in the 100-days work scheme "against the Constitutional norms".

"There is no such law. The 100-days work scheme is a Constitutional matter. If the poor are stopped from participating in the scheme because they do not have the Aadhar card, then that is against their rights," she said.

The apex court on Monday made it clear that the unique identification number - Aadhaar - can't be made mandatory for availing benefits under social welfare schemes.

Banerjee has also criticised the Centre's decision to make Aadhar mandatory for mid-day meal schemes.

Responding to the reports of frequent cases of child trafficking in various parts of the state including in north Bengal, Banerjee said no one involved in the child trafficking case will be spared.

Banerjee said she will declare Mirikh as a new subdivision on Thursday.

--IANS

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