Updates

Rethink Aadhaar Newsletter: July 2019, Vol. I

Celebrating Mr. Ramesh Kurhade’s fight against mandatory Aadhaar linking

When: Friday, 19 July 2019 Time: 5pm to 7pm

Register Online: https://www.moneylife.in/event/250.html

While the government is trying hard to crush every voice against Aadhaar, one person from Mumbai not only fought, but also won against the government's mandatory linking policy. Hear Mr Ramesh Kurhade of Mumbai Port Trust as he shares the story of his unwavering fight against Aadhaar.

A number of concerned citizens and NGOs have come together to felicitate Mr Kurhade in the hope that his experience will give courage to others. The felicitation and his talk will be followed by brief interventions from additional speakers: Dr. Anupam Saraph, Vickram Crishna, Raghu (aka godavar), Vidyut Gore, Elisha Ebenezer, and more.

Where: Moneylife Foundation Knowledge Centre, 304, 3rd Floor, Hind Service Industries Premises, Off. Veer Savarkar Marg, Near Shivaji Park Seaface, Dadar (W), Mumbai - 400028

Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/nchPXrXqKBMCay1N9 

RSVP: Shilpa at 022-49205000 or email foundation@moneylife.in or Call/SMS/ WhatsApp on +91-7045156415 (Please give your Name, Email ID & Contact number)

Read: Mumbai Mirror has published a profile of Mr. Kurhade.

What to do about Aadhaar linking with PAN, quoting Aadhaar in Income Tax returns?

The short answer: linking Aadhaar with PAN has become a legal requirement.

The cost of refusing to enrol in the Aadhaar program appears to be an invalid PAN card. Resistance to Aadhaar will not end with enrolment. We hope that it will strengthen the struggle for many of us who had earlier felt safe not being enrolled and will make the struggle even more imperative.

If you are looking for options to stay out of the system and are worried about the security and privacy risks of the Aadhaar project, we urge you to consult a lawyer. You could also seek legal advice on the potential penalties or other consequences of, for instance, a delayed tax return filing. It would be best to take an informed decision specific to your situation. In case you'd like us to connect you with a lawyer, please write to legal@rethinkaadhaar.in.

Aadhaar Amendments Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament

The Aadhaar Amendments Bill, 2019, was passed by the Lok Sabha on July 4, after a day-long debate which involved fiery critique of the Bill from MPs NK Premachandran (RPI), Mahua Moitra (TMC), Supriya Sule (NCP), Ritesh Pandey (BSP), Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), among others. Subsequently, the Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on July 8. The Bill is identical to the version passed by the Lok Sabha in January, and later promulgated as an Ordinance, although during its final passage the government also promised to include schemes paid out of the Consolidated Fund of states. Read our statement on the Bill here. You can also read the full discussion of the Bill in the Lok Sabha at MediaNama.

Rethink Aadhaar statement on Economic Survey

The government’s vision to collate comprehensive, exhaustive data about every citizen and making it available for commercial use by private entities as stated in the budget document the Economic Survey 2018-19 is quite alarming. Read our full statement.

Delhi HC asks ECI to consider plea on Aadhaar-Voter ID linking

A Delhi High Court bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider a plea by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay seeking linking of Aadhaar number with Voter IDs. The petitioner contends this will facilitate an “e-voting system using fingerprint and face biometric” which will “lead to an increase in voting percentage” and prevent “prevent bogus or fabricated voting”. Rethink Aadhaar strongly opposes any such proposal for linking Aadhaar with Voter IDs.

Aadhaar in the news

  1. Jaipur teens tampering with Aadhar details to watch ‘Kabir Singh’: https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/teens-tampering-with-aadhar-details-to-watch-kabir-singh/article28271056.ece

  2. Pay Interest For Delaying Salary Of Employee Who Did Not Link Aadhaar: Bombay HC To Port Trust: https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/pay-interest-for-delaying-salary-of-mbt-employee-who-did-not-link-aadhar-145922

  3. The Aadhaar Amendments Bill has reinstated many of the provisions of Section 57 of the original Aadhaar Act which was struck down by the Supreme Court in September 2018 as unconstitutional: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/aadhaar-amendment-bill-new-rules-uidai-5829226/

  4. #MyBodyMyRights: Will Aadhar prevent you from getting an abortion? http://www.hidden-pockets.com/mybodymyrights-will-aadhar-prevent-you-from-getting-an-abortion/

  5. The imposition of Aadhaar to avail benefits and subsidies “is nothing but the state’s arrogance towards the poor”, says INC MP from Koraput, Saptagiri Ulaka: https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/congresss-lone-mp-from-odisha-on-food-security-aadhaar-and-the-condition-of-his-party

  6. Aadhaar Card Not A Valid Document For Travel To Nepal: NCDRC: https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/aadhar-card-not-a-valid-document-for-travel-to-nepal-ncdrc-read-order-146469

  7. Aadhaar verification no more in use for driving license: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/aadhaar-verification-no-more-in-use-for-driving-license-1563251433918.html

  8. Economic Survey has based Aadhaar impact on MGNREGS on false assumptions, say researchers: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/economic-survey-has-based-aadhaar-impact-on-mgnregs-on-false-assumptions-say-researchers/article28313214.ece

  9. Madras HC seeks EPFO response on plea against mandatory Aadhaar-UAN linking: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/plea-in-hc-against-linking-aadhaar-to-uan-to-avail-pf-pension-119070900224_1.html

  10. TISS study: Aadhaar fraud rampant in Kalyana Lakshmi: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/tiss-study-aadhaar-fraud-rampant-in-kalyana-lakshmi/articleshow/70135322.cms

  11. For whom is the Aadhaar Amendments Bill: only to please Telecom companies: https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/governance/for-whom-is-the-aadhaar-amendments-bill-reliance-jio-airtelvodafone-and-tata

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