Thiruvananthapuram: Faced with severe criticism, the state government on Monday decided against filing the affidavit in the Supreme Court supporting the implementation of Aadhaar for availing of various subsidy benefits.
In response to the Supreme Court’s interim order asking the states to explain their position on LPG- Aadhaar linkage, the affidavit prepared by IT officials not only favoured its implementation but also sought all official orders for this purpose.
The government move came in the wake of media reports that the affidavit was being filed in the apex court without the knowledge of the cabinet or the government. Some officials of the IT department are believed to have taken the decision to file the affidavit.
Even the civil supplies department which undertakes distribution of LPG in the state was not kept in the loop. Meanwhile, industries minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said the Advocate-General had been directed not to submit the affidavit for the moment.
A decision regarding a fresh affidavit would be taken only after detailed discussions in the cabinet and after allying the fears of the people he said.
If required the government would seek more time from the apex court to file the affidavit, he added.
Even though Aadhaar enrolment in Kerala is almost complete, only 78 per cent people have received the card so far. Of these, only 60 per cent have linked Aadhaar cards with banks. Under these circumstances, the government felt it would not be feasible to make Aadhaar cards compulsory.
The state government has so far spent Rs 67 crore on Aadhaar. In the affidavit, the officials pointed out that if Aadhaar is not implemented the government will lose the said amount.
