Ravi Shankar Prasad introduces Aadhaar Bill in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The bill was tabled amidst protests by opposition parties over concerns of privacy.

The legislation will now replace an ordinance issued in March this year, and proposes to impose strict penalties for violation of norms.

Senior Left leader N.K. Premachandran opposed the bill on three key grounds -- it violates an earlier Supreme Court judgment, allows for private agencies to store data and violates fundamental rights.

“Aadhaar is in national interest and it does not violate privacy...I want to reassure that there is no mandatory compliance. SIM cards can be taken with or without Aadhaar,” Prasad told the House.

Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha saw protests during question hour on queries over the new education policy that recommended inclusion of Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states.

The lower house is currently discussing motion of thanks on President’s address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also present in the House.