The December 31 deadline for linking a host of Government services with Aadhaar is likely to be extended till March 31, 2018, Attorney General KK Venugopal informed the Supreme Court on Thursday. However, there will be no change of the February 6, 2018 deadline for linking mobile services with Aadhaar, he added.
The Centre’s submission came following an urgent mentioning by the petitioners who have challenged the Aadhaar scheme, calling it to be a breach of their fundamental right to privacy. The petitioners sought hearing on their interim applications to stay the ongoing Aadhaar enrolment till the court takes a call on the validity of the said scheme.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra assured senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing the petitioners, that a Constitution Bench will hear the matter next week. The Bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, further stated that the same Bench will pass necessary orders on the interim applications as well.
During the proceedings, the A-G told the court that the Government is in the process of issuing a circular to extend the December 31 deadline to March 31, 2018. This, he said, was on account of the matter being pending with the court. On earlier occasions too, the court has extended the deadline for Aadhaar linkage from time to time.
Divan urged the court to direct the Centre not to take any coercive steps against citizens who voluntarily choose not to link their Aadhaar numbers with the essential services such as bank accounts, social welfare schemes, etc.
A-G Venugopal informed the Bench that the Government undertaking not to take any coercive steps will apply only in cases where citizens have yet not made their Aadhaar cards.
Objecting to this submission, Divan said that many citizens who have Aadhaar cards have decided not to link their Aadhaar numbers with any service as the court is yet to pronounce a decision on the validity of the Unique Identification number. The A-G replied, “This way nobody will link their Aadhaar with any scheme.” On Divan’s request to list the petitions for final hearing, the Bench left the decision to the Constitution Bench.