Aadhaar issue: TMC-led Oppn corners Govt in RS

A united opposition led by Trinamool Congress, on Thursday disrupted Rajya Sabha proceedings protesting against making Aadhaar card mandatory for availing government benefits like subsidised LPG, PDS supplies and pensions, forcing its adjournment thrice since Thursday morning. 

Opposition TMC, BJD and SP had given notices for suspension of business to take up the issue which also found support from the Left parties and the Congress. The notices were rejected by the Chair. In Lok Sabha, TMC Chief Whip, Kalyan Banerjee raised the issue during Zero Hour. Speaking on the issue, the leader of the party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien said, “This Govt talks of cooperative federalism but in action it bypasses the opinion of States. Across the country, people are suffering. They cannot get various services and facilities like pension, LPG and kerosene.”

Kalyan Banerjee demanded in Lok Sabha that the mandatory provision for Aadhaar card should be waived until there is 100 per cent coverage of Aadhaar in the country. He said in West Bengal over one crore people were yet to receive Aadhaar cards and were thus being denied benefits of various schemes. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal on the issue of Aadhaar. In West Bengal, 40 per cent people are yet to receive Aadhaar cards.