HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times Bangalore, March 25, 2014
Despite the top court clampdown on the implementation of the Aadhar scheme, entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani who had been heading the project till recently, said, “It is essential, imperative and absolutely necessary for the people of this country.”
Reacting to the court warning, Congress candidate for Bangalore South Nilekani told reporters on Monday that the court had not said anything new. “It is the same thing as the court had said before.”
The Supreme Court had warned the government and the Unique Identification Authority of India that they would be charged with contempt if they make the Aadhar card mandatory for delivery of government services. Nilekani said it’s not a “setback”.
He also said there has been “no problem” in implementing the project and that there was no threat to national security from the external agencies that have been hired by UIDAI.
Reacting to Sunday’s drama, involving Sriram Sene leader Pramod Muthalik’s induction and then rejection by the BJP leadership, Nilekani said, “I don’t know what role Ananth Kumar had in bringing back Muthalik. It is an embarrassment.”
Asked about the induction of SN Krishnaiah Shetty, who was arrested by the Lokayukta police while he was part of the previous BJP government, Nilekani, however, refused to comment.
Shetty and BS Yeddyurappa were arrested in mid-2011 for their alleged role in the illegal land denotification scam.