One day after the Centre indefinitely extended the deadline for linking Aadhaar with bank accounts, the Ministry of Finance, on 13 December, announced the new deadline as 31 March.
The ministry notification said that those who have or will open new bank accounts will be expected to complete the linking six months from the date of commencement of account.
“In case the client fails to submit the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number within the aforesaid six months period, the said account shall cease to be operational till the time the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number is submitted by the client,” the notification said.
A Ministry of Finance notification informed of a new rule modifying the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002 to replace the requirement of submitting "the Aadhaar number and Permanent Account Number by 31 December 2017" with "submit the Aadhaar number, and Permanent Account Number or Form No. 60, by such date as may be notified by the Central Government".
This is in line with the Centre last week informing the Supreme Court that it is willing to extend the deadline fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar till 31 March to avail various services and welfare schemes.
Under the PMLA, Aadhaar, PAN and other official documents are required to be obtained by banks and financial institutions from anyone opening a bank account as well as for any financial transaction of Rs 50,000 and above.
The notification issued on Tuesday, 12 December, stated that accounts where Aadhaar and PAN are not furnished by the date notified by the government will cease to be operational.
(With inputs from PTI.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)