File photo of Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan

HYDERABAD: Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said whether to link Aadhaar to DNA profiles , to be stored in databanks at state and central level, for aiding criminal investigation will be decided later, while framing rules.

Replying to a question at a press conference after inauguration of the new campus of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Union minister Harsh Vardhan said, "The Bill has been introduced in Parliament, but is yet to be passed. We hope it will be cleared in the winter session. The rules will also be put before the House."

To a query whether DNA profiles in databanks would be linked to Aadhaar, department of biotechnology (DBT) secretary Renu Swarup said, "It will be decided at the time of framing rules. It is believed that the DNA Regulatory Board, which will be formed after the bill becomes act, will frame the rules. DNA profiles will be stored as indices (crime scene, suspects, undertrials, offenders, missing persons and unknown deceased persons).

The Union minister said CDFD had played a key role in drafting the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018. All privacy issues were well addressed in the Bill, he added.

