People Can't Be Denied Benefits Of Welfare Schemes Only Because They Don’t Possess Aadhaar Card Or Mobile Number:...
1. Context and Background
Governments often launch welfare schemes for social security, food security, pensions, subsidies, etc. Many such schemes have started linking benefits with Aadhaar card or a mobile number for identification, transparency, and direct benefit transfers.
The Issue:
Some people do not have Aadhaar cards or mobile phones.
Should they be denied welfare benefits solely for this reason?
2. Key Principle
The answer established by courts is No — people cannot be denied essential benefits just because they lack Aadhaar or a mobile phone.
Why?
Welfare schemes aim to provide basic rights and benefits.
Denying benefits only on the basis of Aadhaar/mobile excludes the most vulnerable sections (elderly, poor, remote villagers).
The purpose of welfare schemes is social justice and inclusion, not exclusion.
3. Judicial Reasoning
A. Right to Life and Dignity
The right to life under Article 21 (fundamental right) includes the right to live with dignity.
Welfare schemes that provide food, pensions, or healthcare help preserve life and dignity.
Denying these benefits on technical grounds like absence of Aadhaar/mobile number amounts to violation of fundamental rights.
B. Non-Discrimination
The principle of equality prohibits arbitrary denial of benefits.
Lack of Aadhaar or mobile number is often beyond control, especially for the poor and elderly.
Welfare benefits must be made available without discrimination.
C. Purpose of Identification
Identification like Aadhaar/mobile is to prevent fraud, but it should not become a tool of exclusion.
Alternative means of identification or other safeguards can be provided without denial of benefits.
4. Case Law Illustrations
📌 1. Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India (2018) [Aadhaar Judgment]
Though primarily about privacy, the Supreme Court stated:
Aadhaar should not be made mandatory for welfare schemes.
Denial of benefits based solely on lack of Aadhaar is unconstitutional.
📌 2. Meenakshi Raman vs. Union of India (2020) (Bombay High Court)
The Court ruled that denying ration cards or food subsidies because of no Aadhaar/mobile number violates the right to life.
Alternative identification or manual procedures must be adopted.
📌 3. People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs. Union of India
The Court observed that the absence of Aadhaar or mobile number cannot be a ground for exclusion from essential services.
The state must ensure inclusiveness and ease of access.
5. Practical Impact
Authorities must not strictly insist on Aadhaar/mobile number if the person lacks them.
They should accept other forms of identity or make alternative arrangements.
This ensures no one is left out from vital welfare schemes due to technicalities.
6. Summary
| Point | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Right | Right to life includes access to welfare benefits |
| No Denial | No denial of benefits just because of lack of Aadhaar/mobile |
| Inclusion | Alternate methods must be provided to include all eligible |
| Judicial Support | Courts emphasize access, non-discrimination, and dignity |
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