Government opposes Jairam’s plea against Aadhaar bill as money bill

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear in detail a challenge by Jairam Ramesh, MP, to the passing of the Aadhaar Bill as a Money Bill even as the Union government said the judiciary had no jurisdiction to encroach on legislative procedure in Parliament, where the Speaker was the final authority.

“If the Speaker says blue is green, we will tell her that blue is blue and not green,” Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar shot back. Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi said the government saved ₹30,000 crore to ₹50,000 crore by linking thousands of subsidies to Aadhaar verification.

“Your object may be good but whether it is a Money Bill or not is the question,” Chief Justice Khehar observed. But the Bench, which included Justice N.V. Ramana, asked why the Rajya Sabha had suggested amendments to the Aadhaar Bill when it was referred to it as a Money Bill. “So by suggesting these amendments, did they agree to it [Aadhaar Bill] being a Money Bill,” Chief Justice Khehar asked P. Chidambaram, counsel for Mr. Ramesh.