Shillong, July 21: High Court of Meghalaya has ruled that Aadhaar cards are not mandatory to avail scholarships by the students as other documents will be sufficient for proof.
Hearing a PIL moved by Greneth M. Sangma through his lawyer PT Sangma, on Monday, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and W Diengdoh referred to the notification of the state government regarding Aadhaar on October 31, 2023 and said, “Hence, as far as notification dated 31st October, 2023 is concerned, as an interim order, we direct that the State government is at full liberty to insist on production of Aadhaar number or Aadhaar card from individuals for their speedy identification. If an individual is unable to produce the Aadhaar number or card or is unwilling to obtain Aadhaar registration, then he would have to prove his identity as a resident in terms of the said Act from other recognised documents like pan card, voter card, passport and so on to the satisfaction of the State authorities. In that event, non-possession of an Aadhaar number or card would not be a disqualification. The whole issue has to be gone into in detail at the hearing of this PIL, on considering the said Act, the rules and regulations framed thereunder and the aforesaid judgments of the Supreme Court read with other judgments related to the subject. In the meantime, this interim order will continue. List this PIL for further hearing on 12th August, 2025”.
