Aadhaar linking deadline for small savings schemes extended till further notice: Govt

Following the Supreme Court's interim order dated March 13, the government has directed the Department of Post and Reserve Bank of India to extend the deadline of providing Aadhaar details in respect to small savings scheme 'till further orders.' It said this in a memo dated March 27, 2018.

The initial deadline to submit Aadhaar details by existing depositors was December 31,2017, which was then extended to March 31, 2018.

A notification issued on September 29, 2017 stated that every depositor should submit their Aadhaar number at the time of opening the account/purchasing certificates to establish their identity. Further, for existing depositors who have not submitted Aadhaar number at the time of purchase of certificates or opening of account, they, too, were asked to provide the same.

With effect from April 1, 2018, small savings schemes will include:
A) National Savings Monthly Income (Account)
B) National Savings Recurring Deposit
C) Sukanya Samriddhi Account
D) National Savings Time Deposit
E) Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
F) Kisan Vikas Patra
G) National Savings Certificates (VIII Issue)
H) Public Provident Fund

Extension of deadline of various services and products
Various other regulators and ministries have issued notifications directing institution to extend the deadline to provide Aadhaar 'indefinitely' till the matter is finally heard and the judgement is pronounced. Similarly, Central Board of Direct Taxes extended the PAN Aadhaar linking deadline till June 30, 2018.

However, according the Supreme Court ruling, an individual is still required to provide the Aadhaar details for availing subsidy benefits from the government that come under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act. These include LPG and education subsidies.

Providing the Aadhaar details had become mandatory for financial transactions above Rs 50,000 as government has amended the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules (2005) last year.