Deadline for Aadhaar-PAN linkage to stay

Taxpayers will have to link their PAN with Aadhaar by August 31, as the Supreme Court verdict on privacy has no bearing on the requirement, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said.

The requirement for Aadhaar for availing government subsidies, welfare schemes and other benefits will also continue unhindered, he added. Asked about the implication of the Supreme Court ruling (privacy being a fundamental right) on linking of Aadhaar and PAN, he said: "There also, linking of PAN to Aadhaar is mandated by an amendment in the Income Tax Act...the linking will continue under that act and law. There is no change".

Pandey said various deadlines that have been prescribed, be it under provision of the Aadhaar Act, the Income Tax Act or money laundering rules will "have to be adhered to" as "those laws are valid".