Five days left for banks to set up Aadhaar centres

Key Highlights: 

• Deadline to setup Bank Aadhaar Kendras ends on September 30, 2017
• Deadline for linking PAN, bank account, social security, mutual funds investment ends on December 30, 2017
• Deadline for linking mobile phone numbers end on February 2018

Banks are left with five days time now to set up Aadhaar enrollment centres in their branches or face penalty of Rs 20,000 per uncovered branch after September 30, 2017.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in July, directed both private and public banks for opening Bank Aadhaar Kendras - which offered aadhaar enrollment and updation facilities in one out of 10 branches.

Initial deadline for doing so was earlier fixed at August 30, 2017, which was later changed to September 30, after banks sought for additional times from UIDAI.

Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of UIDAI in a PTI report said, “Bank Aadhaar Kendras are being established with a view to make the Aadhaar verification process of bank accounts convenient for the people as it has become mandatory under amended Prevention of Money Laundering Rules to verify bank accounts with Aadhaar by December 31, 2017.”

According to UIDAI, over 1,000 bank branches of 42 banks (including both private and public) have commenced Aadhaar enrolment and updation centres within their premises.

UIDAI has sought commitments for opening Aadhaar Seva Kendra centres in 15,000 bank branches at the earliest.