Stories
Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Reply on PIL Against Mandatory Aadhaar for LPG Subsidy
- •The Delhi High Court asked the Centre to respond to a PIL challenging mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for domestic LPG consumers to receive subsidies.
- •The petition was filed by a visually impaired lawyer who argued that the mandatory authentication process causes serious difficulties for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
- •The petitioner claimed the mandate lacks statutory backing, violates the Aadhaar Act, and infringes upon Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
- •Attorney General R Venkataramani defended the decision, stating it aims to curb subsidy abuse while assuring that disabled individuals will be accommodated.
- •The court scheduled the next hearing for November 18 and sought responses from the central government, regulatory board, and public sector oil companies.
Key Questions Answered
The Delhi High Court asked the central government, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, and public sector oil companies to respond to a public interest litigation challenging mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for domestic LPG consumers, scheduling the next hearing for November 18.
Attorney General R Venkataramani explained that the decision was implemented to curb the abuse of government subsidies under the schemes, while giving assurances that vulnerable sections like persons with disabilities would be accommodated.
Consumers who have not completed biometric authentication or are unwilling or unable to do so face blocked LPG refills at regulated subsidized prices, forcing them to buy five kg or 10 kg cylinders at market selling prices.
