The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a bill that allows voluntary use of Aadhaar as an identity proof for activities like opening a bank accounts and getting a new mobile phone connection. Though Aadhaar Amendment Bill 2019 will be introduced in the upcoming session of the Parliament, as per official release. The release said thart the ammendment will enable UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to create a stable machanism to serve the public interest and restrict the misuse of Aadhaar card in country. Also no individual shall be compelled to provide proof of possession of Aadhaar number after this.

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The government will be introducing the Bill in the first session of Parliament that is going to begin on June 17. The Bill proposes deletion of section 57 of the Aadhaar Act that allows usage of Aadhaar by private entities, while also providing for civil penalties for violation of Aadhaar.

Here are the 10 10 highlights of new Aadhaar Amendment bill, you should know:

1. The amendment provides for voluntary use of Aadhaar number in physical or electronic form by authentication or offline verification with the consent of Aadhaar number holder.

2. It provides for use of twelve-digit Aadhaar number and its alternative virtual identity to conceal the actual Aadhaar number of an individual.

3. It gives an option to children who are Aadhaar number holders to cancel their Aadhaar number on attaining the age of eighteen years.

4. It permits the entities to perform authentication only when they are compliant with the standards of privacy and security specified by the Authority.

5. It proposes deletion of section 57 of the Aadhaar Act relating to the use of Aadhaar by private entities.

7. It prevents denial of services for refusing to or being unable to, undergo authentication.

8. It provides for the establishment of Unique Identification Authority of India Fund.

9. It provides for civil penalties, its adjudication, appeal thereof in regard to violations of Aadhaar Act and provisions by entities in the Aadhaar ecosystem.

10. Bill allows the use of Aadhaar number for authentication on a voluntary basis as an acceptable KYC document. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing session of Parliament.