18 hrs ago
Delhi High Court Questions Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication For LPG Subsidies
The Delhi High Court is examining a rule about getting cheaper cooking gas.
The rule would require people to prove their identity using Aadhaar biometrics.
The court noted that not everyone in India has an Aadhaar card.
A lawyer with a visual disability said the iris-scanning process is difficult for him and others with similar disabilities.
He says the rule could unfairly prevent some people from receiving subsidised LPG.
People who do not complete the process may still receive gas, but they would have to pay the full market price.
The court has asked the central government to explain its position.
The case will be heard again on October 5.
The Delhi High Court sought the Centre’s response to a petition challenging mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for subsidised domestic LPG refills.
The authentication requirement is scheduled to apply from October 1, with further hearing listed for October 5.
Petitioner Pulkit Luthra, who has a 75 per cent permanent visual disability, said iris authentication creates serious difficulties for people with visual impairments.
The petition challenges government communications that contemplated blocking subsidised LPG refills for consumers who had not completed Aadhaar authentication.
Consumers unable to authenticate can still receive LPG, but only at the applicable market price without subsidy, according to the petition.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Centre, and petitioner Pulkit Luthra, a lawyer with a 75 per cent permanent visual disability.
- What
- The court sought the Centre’s stand on a petition challenging mandatory biometric Aadhaar authentication for subsidised domestic LPG refills.
- Where
- The Delhi High Court in Delhi, India.
- When
- The requirement is contemplated from October 1; the next hearing is listed for October 5. The court sought the response on Wednesday.
- Why
- The petition argues that biometric authentication, including iris scanning, creates serious difficulties for people with visual impairments and may exclude people from subsidised LPG.
Petitioner and Court Concerns
Government Authentication Framework
Access to subsidised LPG
Petitioner and Court Concerns
The petitioner argues that mandatory biometric authentication can exclude people with disabilities and others who cannot complete the process, violating equality, reasonable accommodation and non-discrimination principles.
Government Authentication Framework
The framework contemplates withholding the subsidy from consumers who have not completed Aadhaar authentication, while allowing them to buy LPG at the market price. The Centre’s response has not yet been reported.
Availability of Aadhaar
Petitioner and Court Concerns
The court questioned the requirement by observing that not everyone who consumes LPG has an Aadhaar card.
Government Authentication Framework
The government communications cited in the petition contemplate Aadhaar authentication for access to subsidised refills; the Centre has been asked to state its position.
Key facts
- Authentication method
- Biometric Aadhaar authentication, including iris authentication.
- Affected service
- Subsidised domestic LPG refills.
- Proposed start date
- October 1.
- Petitioner
- Pulkit Luthra, a practising lawyer with a 75 per cent permanent visual disability.
- Next hearing
- October 5.
- Alternative for unauthenticated consumers
- LPG remains available at the applicable market price without subsidy.
- Companies named
- Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation.
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench
The bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
“The impugned framework further fails to adequately address cases where a consumer is genuinely unable to complete biometric authentication for reasons beyond his or her control.”
telegraphindia.com
“Everyone does not have Aadhaar in this country. They too are consuming LPG.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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