Deadline to link Aadhaar with schemes extended: Centre to SC

New Delhi: The deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail benefits of various government schemes would be extended till March 31 next year, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

It told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that the deadline for Aadhaar linking to avail benefits of the schemes was to end in December and it has now been decided to extend it until March 31, 2018.

"We have decided to extend it until March 31, 2018," Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench, which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.

The counsel appearing for petitioners, who have challenged the government's move to make Aadhaar mandatory for these schemes, raised the issue of the mandatory linking of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) number with bank accounts and mobile numbers.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for petitioners sought an early hearing of the Aadhaar matter. Divan pointed out that though the government has decided to extend the deadline until March 31 next year, it has also not ruled out action against those who do not want to link their Aadhaar with either bank accounts or mobile numbers.

"Final hearing of the matter is necessary. The government can make a statement that they will not take action against those who don't want to link Aadhaar," Divan said.

When the Attorney General said that he wanted to take instructions on specific issues, the bench asked the Centre to mention the matter before it on Monday.