Aadhaar linking with govt services deadline March 31 can be extended, Centre tells SC

The BJP-led government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the Centre can extend March 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar with government schemes and services including mobile phones and bank accounts.

Attorney General of India (AGI) KK venugopal in his submission before a constitution of bench hearing a batch of petitions against the Aadhaar law said, “The deadline has been extended earlier too. If required we can do it again.”

The bench of constitution hearing a batch of petitions against the Aadhar law was headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. Lawyers of one of the petitioners had requested the bench to consider the plea as deadline of linking Aadhaar number with government schemes and services was nearing.

Also read | No essential service can be denied for want of Aadhaar: UIDAI

The AGI also informed the Apex Court that the Centre might extend the deadline if the petitioners demand an extension. “The case may not be decided before March 31 and the last date to link the 12-digit Aadhaar number with government schemes and services is the same,” said Venugopal.