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In a major relief to many people including me, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, indefinitely extended the deadline for linking of various services with Aadhaar till it delivers its judgment on the constitutional validity of the biometrical identification scheme.
Indian government had earlier set a deadline of December 31, 2017 for linking Aadhaar with several financial services and welfare schemes. However, on December 15 last year, the top court directed the extension of deadline till March 31 for the linking of Aadhaar with bank accounts and mobile phones.
Last week, the Indian government had indicated that it may extend the deadline for the mandatory linking of Aadhaar since more time would be needed to conclude the prolonged hearing in the case.
The Constitution Bench is hearing challenges to the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme on the touchstone of the fundamental right to privacy on a bunch of petitions by former Karnataka High Court Judge K S Puttuswamy, Magsaysay awardee Shanta Sinha, feminist researcher Kalyani Sen Menon, and others.
In its latest order, the five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also announced that this extension will not affect the linking of Aadhaar with the disbursal of benefits under social welfare schemes.
Furthermore, UIDAI has clarified that despite the extension, the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts as well as applying for tatkal passports will continue. In a series of tweets, UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) said, “As per the Supreme Court’s order dated 13th March 2018, the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts and applying for Tatkal passports under the relevant laws continues.”
As per the Supreme Court's order dated 13th March 2018, the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts and applying for Tatkal passports under the relevant laws continues. 2/3
— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) March 13, 2018
It further added, “for those who do not have Aadhaar, they are required to apply for Aadhaar and provide the Aadhaar application number while applying for availing the aforesaid services.”