Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, CEA Arvind Subramanian (right) and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das at the Delhi Economics Conclave . (Source: Express Photo by Renuka Puri) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, CEA Arvind Subramanian (right) and Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das at the Delhi Economics Conclave . (Source: Express Photo by Renuka Puri)

The government is considering providing a legal backing to Aadhaar, which is under examination of the Supreme Court as to whether it is an invasion on the right to privacy of citizens.

“Concerns have been raised that steps must be taken to remove the sense of uncertainty regarding Aadhaar. The need and utility for this has been universally accepted. There is a challenge pending before the court. The question is whether it violates the right to privacy. This will take some time and we can’t have a situation where Aadhaar is accepted with central kind of activity but not accepted for other activities… the draft legislation is already ready,” finance minister Arun Jaitley said adding that Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) is here to stay for providing benefits to people.

Currently, according to the Supreme Court’s order last month, the government can use Aadhaar number for MGNREGA, Jan Dhan Yojana, pension and provident fund schemes along with public distribution system and LPG subsidy, but it will be only on voluntary basis and no person shall be deprived of any benefit for want of Aadhaar.

Further, expressing satisfaction that India remains one of the fastest growing economy amid huge global turmoil, Jaitley said that the country is working towards achieving higher growth, which is the best antidote to poverty. According to the government, India is poised to grow between 8-8.5 per cent in the current fiscal as compared to 7.3 per cent in the last fiscal. Calling rationalisation of subsidies as “unsung reforms”, Jaitley said that the Centre is looking to extend the cash transfers scheme to other programmes.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest Business News, download Indian Express App.