Some time ago, the Government tried to make the Aadhar card mandatory to have a LPG connection. But due to protests from consumers, the requirement was withdrawn.
Now, Indane (I do not know about other LPG companies) is once again forcing some consumers to have an Aadhar card.
Those consumers whose income falls below Rs.10 lakh per annum are eligible to get a discount on the price of a cooking gas cylinder. However, they are required to go to their agency and give a declaration to the effect.
The government has made it mandatory for such consumers to provide a copy of Aadhar card.
However, the government has also ruled that it is not mandatory for a citizen to have an Aadhar card:
““It is not mandatory for a citizen to obtain an Aadhaar card”, stated the Supreme Court on the 11th of August, 2015. The court was considering whether the Constitution guarantees a right to privacy and whether the Aadhaar card scheme infringes such right. While the state argued that the legal position regarding the existence of the fundamental right to privacy is “doubtful”, the petitioners submitted that “it is too late in the day for the Union of India to argue that the constitution of India does not recognise privacy as an aspect of the liberty under Article 21 of the constitution of India.” The three judge bench referred this “apparent unresolved contradiction” to a five judge bench which remains unresolved till date.”
It is to be hoped that this unnecessary mandate is repealed and consumers can use other documentation, such as passport or driving licence.