The Union Health Ministry has recently passed notification saying who do not possess Aadhaar Card can get benefits under the Ayushman Bharat —National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM). However it is been said Aadhaar is preferred but not must or mandatory, Ayushman Bharat —National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) can be availed by all eligible beneficiaries with Aadhaar or without Aadhaar.
This notification of the Ayushman Bharat —National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) is being issued under Section 7 of Aadhaar Act. Eelier there was lots of speculations that Aadhaar is mandatory to avail Ayushman Bharat. Now after this notification all those speculations has been proved false.
The Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme will provide health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakhs, by going with estimate this scheme would benefit around 10 Crore poor and vulnerable families.
Aadhaar Mandatory While Availing Treatment under Ayushman Bharat —National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM)
As per Aadhaar Act Documents, Aadhaar Number is mandatory for receipt of certain subsidy and benefits. Since this scheme involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, it falls under the purview of the Aadhaar Act.
Besides this there is one more catch in availing this scheme which is beneficiaries without Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment Slip will only be allowed to avail treatment under this scheme only once. So from next treatment onwards Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment Slip will be mandatory to be furnished.
The Supreme Court Final Verdict is yet to come on this case, in absence of the final ruling by the apex court, the Government can also take decision to make Aadhaar Mandatory for Ayushman Bharat Scheme and issue deadlines for submission of Aadhaar Number by beneficiaries.