The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that it was willing to extend until March 31 next year the deadline fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar for availing various services and welfare schemes.

The Supreme Court now will be setting up a five-judge Constitution Bench next week to hear several pleas seeking an interim stay on the Centre&#39;s decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was informed by Attorney General KK Venugopal that the Centre was willing to extend the deadline of December 31 to March 31 next year for linking of Aadhaar with various services and schemes.

The Attorney General, however, made clear that February 6 next year would remain the deadline for linking Aadhaar for availing uninterrupted mobile services as it had been mandated by the apex court.

Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for those who are opposed to Aadhaar scheme told the bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, that the central government should give an undertaking that no coercive steps would be taken against those fail to link their Aadhaar with various services.

The apex court on October 30 had said that a Constitution Bench would commence hearing on the clutch of petitions against Aadhaar scheme from the last week of November.

Recently, a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had held that Right to Privacy was a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Several petitioners challenging the validity of Aadhaar had claimed it violated privacy rights.

The Centre had on October 25 told the top court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to receive benefits of government schemes has been extended till March 31, 2018 for those who do not have the 12-digit unique biometric identification number and were willing to enrol for it.

The Attorney General had told the court that no coercive action would be taken against those who do not have the Aadhaar card but are willing to enrol for the biometric card. He had said such people would not be denied the benefits of social welfare schemes till March 31.

Some petitioners in the top court have termed the linking of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) number with bank accounts and mobile numbers as &quot;illegal and unconstitutional&quot;.

They had also objected to the CBSE&#39;s alleged move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for students appearing for examinations, a contention denied by the Centre.

One of the counsels representing the petitioners had earlier said that final hearing in the main Aadhaar matter, which is pending before the apex court, was necessary as the government &quot;cannot compel&quot; citizens to link their Aadhaar with either bank accounts or cell phone numbers.

 
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The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the setting up of a Constitution Bench next week to hear petitions seeking a stay on the Centre's move to link Aadhaar with various schemes and services

The Centre today informed the Supreme Court that it was willing to extend until March 31 next year the deadline fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar for availing various services and welfare schemes. The Supreme Court now will be setting up a five-judge Constitution Bench next week to hear several pleas seeking an interim stay on the Centre's decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was informed by Attorney General KK Venugopal that the Centre was willing to extend the deadline of December 31 to March 31 next year for linking of Aadhaar with various services and schemes. The Attorney General, however, made clear that February 6 next year would remain the deadline for linking Aadhaar for availing uninterrupted mobile services as it had been mandated by the apex court. Senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for those who are opposed to Aadhaar scheme told the bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, that the central government should give an undertaking that no coercive steps would be taken against those fail to link their Aadhaar with various services. The apex court on October 30 had said that a Constitution Bench would commence hearing on the clutch of petitions against Aadhaar scheme from the last week of November. Recently, a nine-judge constitution bench of the apex court had held that Right to Privacy was a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. Several petitioners challenging the validity of Aadhaar had claimed it violated privacy rights. The Centre had on October 25 told the top court that the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to receive benefits of government schemes has been extended till March 31, 2018 for those who do not have the 12-digit unique biometric identification number and were willing to enrol for it. The Attorney General had told the court that no coercive action would be taken against those who do not have the Aadhaar card but are willing to enrol for the biometric card. He had said such people would not be denied the benefits of social welfare schemes till March 31. Some petitioners in the top court have termed the linking of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) number with bank accounts and mobile numbers as "illegal and unconstitutional". They had also objected to the CBSE's alleged move to make Aadhaar card mandatory for students appearing for examinations, a contention denied by the Centre. One of the counsels representing the petitioners had earlier said that final hearing in the main Aadhaar matter, which is pending before the apex court, was necessary as the government "cannot compel" citizens to link their Aadhaar with either bank accounts or cell phone numbers.

Ready to extend Aadhaar linking deadline to March 31, 2018: Centre to Supreme Court

UIDAI, the authority which issues Aadhaar, has come up to reject all speculations revolving around the extension of this month&#39;s deadline. &quot;That Aadhaar Act being in force, all notifications for requiring Aadhaar for various welfare programmes, verifying bank account, PAN card and SIM card with Aadhaar stand valid and lawful,&quot; it said in a statement.

While <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aadhar-card-central-government-willing-to-extend-linking-of-aadhaar-till-march-31-2018-26128" target="_blank">the last date for linking the unique identification number</a> with bank accounts, insurance policies, PAN, ration card and UAN remains December 31, 2017, petitioners will have to link their mobile numbers to their 12-digit Aadhaar number by February 2018.&nbsp;

&quot;Today&#39;s legal position is that there is no stay as on December 7, 2017, from the Supreme Court on Aadhaar and its linking to various services,&quot; it added. The UIDAI has also asked people not to get misled by an outdated video doing rounds in the social media and Whatsapp, &quot;people should instead verify their banks accounts, investment accounts, SIM cards, etc as per the current laws and deadlines as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience,&quot; the official statement clarified.&nbsp;

In March 2017, the Income Tax Act was amended to make Aadhaar mandatory for PAN cards. PML Rules were also amended this year in June to make Aadhaar mandatory for linking all insurance policies, bank accounts, pension, mutual funds and DMAT accounts among others.

Speculations and rumours around the extension of Aadhaar-linking got stronger when media reported Thursday on the fact that the central government informed the Supreme Court about its willingness to extend this year&#39;s deadline to March 31, 2018.

(With inputs from PTI)

Petitioners will have to link their mobile numbers to their 12-digit Aadhaar number by February 2018

UIDAI, the authority which issues Aadhaar, has come up to reject all speculations revolving around the extension of this month's deadline. "That Aadhaar Act being in force, all notifications for requiring Aadhaar for various welfare programmes, verifying bank account, PAN card and SIM card with Aadhaar stand valid and lawful," it said in a statement. While the last date for linking the unique identification number with bank accounts, insurance policies, PAN, ration card and UAN remains December 31, 2017, petitioners will have to link their mobile numbers to their 12-digit Aadhaar number by February 2018. "Today's legal position is that there is no stay as on December 7, 2017, from the Supreme Court on Aadhaar and its linking to various services," it added. The UIDAI has also asked people not to get misled by an outdated video doing rounds in the social media and Whatsapp, "people should instead verify their banks accounts, investment accounts, SIM cards, etc as per the current laws and deadlines as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience," the official statement clarified. In March 2017, the Income Tax Act was amended to make Aadhaar mandatory for PAN cards. PML Rules were also amended this year in June to make Aadhaar mandatory for linking all insurance policies, bank accounts, pension, mutual funds and DMAT accounts among others. Speculations and rumours around the extension of Aadhaar-linking got stronger when media reported Thursday on the fact that the central government informed the Supreme Court about its willingness to extend this year's deadline to March 31, 2018. (With inputs from PTI)

Last date for linking Aadhaar number stays, UIDAI clarifies

The Supreme Court has questioned the West Bengal government for filing plea against Centre&rsquo;s decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits of welfare schemes.&nbsp;

&quot;In a federal structure, how can a state file plea challenging Parliament&#39;s mandate,&quot; the Supreme Court bench said.

We know it is a matter which needs consideration but you satisfy us how state can challenge it, the bench added.

After the court&#39;s rap, the Bengal government has agreed to amend the plea and will file it again.&nbsp;

&quot;If the court has said on Aadhaar matter that I need to approach individually, then I respect it. They have not rejected my petition,&quot; Mamata Banerjee said.

The West Bengal government&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-challenges-aadhaar-in-supreme-court-hearing-on-october-30-23047">filed the plea last week</a> after Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee opposed the linking of her mobile phone number with Aadhaar. &quot;Aadhaar number should not be linked with one&#39;s mobile phone. I will not link my Aadhaar number with my mobile even if my connection is snapped,&quot; she said at a party meeting.

However, the Aadhaar-mobile issue is not part of the state government&#39;s plea, senior advocate and Member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee said.

The Centre had, on October 25, told the top court that the deadline for mandatory Aadhaar linking to avail benefits of various government schemes has been extended till March 31 next year. The extension concerned those who do not have the 12-digit biometric identification number.

Attorney General KK Venugopal told a bench headed Chief Justice Dipak Misra that deadline extension would apply only to those who do not have Aadhaar and are willing to enrol for it. Earlier, the deadline for linking of Aadhaar was December end this year.&nbsp;

Venugopal had also told the bench that he would take instructions on certain issues on Aadhaar after which the court had asked him to mention the matter again on October 30.

Several petitions are pending in the top court which challenge the centre&#39;s move to make Aadhaar linkage with mobile number and bank accounts mandatory for welfare schemes and notifications.

The court today&nbsp;issued notice to Centre on separate plea challenging&nbsp;linking of mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar and sought reply within four weeks.

We know it is a matter which needs consideration but you satisfy us how state can challenge it, the bench added.

The Supreme Court has questioned the West Bengal government for filing plea against Centre’s decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for availing benefits of welfare schemes. "In a federal structure, how can a state file plea challenging Parliament's mandate," the Supreme Court bench said. We know it is a matter which needs consideration but you satisfy us how state can challenge it, the bench added. After the court's rap, the Bengal government has agreed to amend the plea and will file it again. "If the court has said on Aadhaar matter that I need to approach individually, then I respect it. They have not rejected my petition," Mamata Banerjee said. The West Bengal government filed the plea last week after Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee opposed the linking of her mobile phone number with Aadhaar. "Aadhaar number should not be linked with one's mobile phone. I will not link my Aadhaar number with my mobile even if my connection is snapped," she said at a party meeting. However, the Aadhaar-mobile issue is not part of the state government's plea, senior advocate and Member of Parliament Kalyan Banerjee said. The Centre had, on October 25, told the top court that the deadline for mandatory Aadhaar linking to avail benefits of various government schemes has been extended till March 31 next year. The extension concerned those who do not have the 12-digit biometric identification number. Attorney General KK Venugopal told a bench headed Chief Justice Dipak Misra that deadline extension would apply only to those who do not have Aadhaar and are willing to enrol for it. Earlier, the deadline for linking of Aadhaar was December end this year. Venugopal had also told the bench that he would take instructions on certain issues on Aadhaar after which the court had asked him to mention the matter again on October 30. Several petitions are pending in the top court which challenge the centre's move to make Aadhaar linkage with mobile number and bank accounts mandatory for welfare schemes and notifications. The court today issued notice to Centre on separate plea challenging linking of mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar and sought reply within four weeks.

How can state challenge Parliament's mandate: Supreme Court on Mamata govt's plea against Aadhaar

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Ready to extend Aadhaar linking deadline to March 31, 2018: Centre to Supreme Court

Last date for linking Aadhaar number stays, UIDAI clarifies

How can state challenge Parliament's mandate: Supreme Court on Mamata govt's plea against Aadhaar