The union government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it was willing to extend the deadline fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar for availing various services and welfare schemes till March 31 next year.
The extension, however, will apply only to those who do not have the Unique Identification Number yet.
The Supreme Court will now be setting up a five-judge Constitution Bench next week to hear several pleas seeking an interim stay on the Centre’s decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar.
The government will issue notification for the extension on December 8, Attorney General KK Venugopal, who is representing the Centre, told the court.
The Attorney General, however, made it clear that February 6 next year would remain the deadline for linking Aadhaar for availing uninterrupted mobile services as it had been mandated by the apex court.