Aadhaar-PAN link case: SC to hear the matter on May 2

In August 2015, the top court in an order clarified that the Aadhaar cards will not be mandatory for availing benefits of the government's welfare schemes.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea, challenging the Central government's decision to link Aadhaar with Permanent Account Number card for filing of income tax returns and to apply for new PAN on May 2.

On April 27, the government had clarified to the apex court that the PAN will be made invalid from July 1 if not applied for the Aadhar-PAN card link. It also stated that the PAN card will not be made invalid if the person had applied for the same.

However, the apex court had asked the government to justify the notification issued in this regard.

On April 26, the government told the top court that the decision was taken with the intention of curbing tax evasion and to keep a check on the circulation of black money.

Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi said to the bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan that the move was to scrap fake PAN cards that are being used to divert the funds to shell companies.

Three petitions were filed by the senior Communist Party of India leader Binoy Vishwam, Dalit rights activist Bezwada Wilson and a retired army officer S G Vombatkere in this regard.

In August 2015, the top court in an order clarified that the Aadhaar cards will not be mandatory for availing benefits of the government's welfare schemes.

As NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks to put an end to the black money, in March said that Aadhaar card mandatory for filing the income tax returns, for applying for a PAN card and to seek free gas connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

Responding to the move, the court in March had given green signal to the Centre for making Aadhar Card mandatory to open bank accounts, getting mobile connections and passports.

OneIndia News