THE AADHAAR AND OTHER LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019

About:

• Timeline: The Bill seeks to replace the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019. The Bill will be introduced in ensuing session of Parliament.
  
  
• Background: The bill envisages strengthening of the Aadhaar Act as per the directions of the Supreme Court and recommendations of Justice B.N.Srikrishna(Retd)
  
  
• The salient features of the amendments:
  • No individual will be compelled to provide proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo authentication for the purpose of establishing his identity unless it is so provided by a law made by Parliament.
    
    
  • For the convenience of the general public in the opening of bank accounts, it will allow the use of Aadhaar number for authentication on a voluntary basis as an acceptable KYC document under the Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
    
    
  • It gives an option to children who are Aadhaar number holders to cancel their Aadhaar number on attaining the age of eighteen years.
    
    
  • It proposes deletion of section 57 of the Aadhaar Act relating to use of Aadhaar by private entities;
    
    
  • It prevents denial of services for refusing to, or being unable to, undergo authentication.
    
    
  • It provides for establishment of Unique Identification Authority of India Fund.
    
    
  • It provides for civil penalties, its adjudication, appeal thereof in regard to violations of Aadhaar Act and provisions by entities in the Aadhaar ecosystem.