The Meghalaya High Court on Monday said that Aadhaar card cannot be the sole document for identification for accessing government benefits, and issued an interim order directing the administration to accept alternative ID from individuals who are unable or unwilling to produce Aadhaar number.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said the government should accept other valid documents like PAN card, voter ID or passport if Aadhaar is unavailable.
The court clarified that non-possession of an Aadhaar number would not be a disqualification for availing benefits under schemes such as the Fee Compensation for Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students (Free Studentship) and financial assistance for SC/ST students not eligible for other scholarships.