Deadline extended for linking Aadhaar
ON HOLD SC restrains govt from insisting on biometric ID until it delivers a final judgment on pleas challenging the law
The Supreme Court extended on Tuesday the March 31 deadline to link Aadhaar with a range of services, including bank accounts and mobile phone connections, till it delivers a final judgment on petitions questioning the validity of the law and subsequent rules making the 12-digit biometric number mandatory.
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the extension will not apply to government services and subsidies under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act. Section 7 is related to targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services. This means those getting subsidy under government schemes will be required to give their unique identity number.
The court restrained the authorities from insisting on Aadhaar for issuing passport under the Tatkal service.
NEW DELHI:
This was done after senior advocate Arvind Datar complained that the government had amended the passport rules in breach of the court directive not to make Aadhaar mandatory.
He showed the court colleague Vrinda Grover’s passport, which has been cancelled because she didn’t give her Aadhaar details.
“It is also directed that the same shall also control and govern the Passports (1st Amendment) Rules, 2018,” the court ordered, saying its directive shall apply to state governments as well. The SC last December extended till March 31 the deadline for linking of Aadhaar with various services and welfare schemes.