Government to act against gas agencies insisting on Aadhar

Even as consumers in Karnataka are in a dilemma whether Aaadhar is mandatory for getting LPG cylinders at the subsidised price, Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao has warned of action against gas agencies that insisit on Aadhar, as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.  Rao explained that since the matter was pending before the court, the agencies can’t compel customers to submit their Aadhar numbers. "So far, we have not received any complaints in this regard. However, if some one lodges a complaint, action would be taken against such agencies. The Centre would look into the matter,” Rao told Deccan Herald. When Deccan Herald did a reality check, it was found that some agencies in the City demanded that consumers submit their Aadhaar number. For instance, Sid-Ma, an agency that supplies Indane gas cylinders, told this reporter that it was mandatory for the new and existing customers to furnish their Aadhaar number. The agencies have been insisting on Aadhar for domestic consumers while they have spared those purchasing commercial ones. "You will have to produce it for availing yourself of a domestic cylinders. Commercial cylindars can be bought even without the same,” said Vijendra who manages a gas agency in the City. An agency in Rajajinagar also has a poster outside its office which reads that submitting Aadhaar number by March 2014 was mandatory. Also, many consumers in the City have received SMSs that "to avail LPG subsidy in your bank account, if you have an Aadhaar number, submit it to your distributor and to your bank immediately else enrol for Aadhaar (sic).” While banners that were put at the entrance of the agency said that it was mandatory to submit the unique identification number by March 2014, a few others were informed that December was the deadline. Suresh (name changed) said he did not have an Aadhaar number and had received the text message. "I think it is only fair if we wait for the Supreme Court order,” he added. A senior official of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) explained that Aadhar was never meant to be a mandatory. "The matter is pending before the Supreme Court. The hearing is on December 10,” he added. The official also said that about 75 per cent of the people in the City had already enrolled themselves for Aaadhar and 70 per cent of them had got their numbers. Deccan Herald