Lok Sabha passes Aadhaar Bill

The Bill “will empower the states to distribute resources of the State to deserving people and save the resources that undeserving people get,” the Minister said while replying to short debate on the Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016’.  

“The effect is going to be on the Centre and state governments which will save thousands of crore,” Jaitley said just before the measure was adopted by a voice vote. 

Moving the bill for consideration and passage earlier, Jaitley said targeted subsidy through Aadhar cards of LPG consumers had resulted in savings of over Rs 15000 crore. 

Four states which had started PDS delivery by a similar exercise on a pilot basis, had saved more than Rs 2300 crore. Last week, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had said the passage of the Bill would save Rs 20,000 crore by avoiding subsidies taken by the undeserving.