New Delhi, October 20: The Reserve Bank of India has clarified that it has not issued any order making it mandatory to link Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts, failing which accounts will be suspended. This was is response to an Right to Information (RTI) Act application filed by Yogesh Sapkale of moneylife.in.
In its response to RTI query, the RBI said, “The Government has issued a Gazette Notification GSR 538(E) dated 1 June 2017 regarding Prevention of Money laundering (Maintenance of Records) Second Amendment Rules, 2017, inter-alia, making furnishing of Aadhaar (for those individuals who are eligible to be enrolled for Aadhaar) and permanent number (PAN) mandatory for opening a bank account. It may be noted that Reserve Bank has not yet issued instruction in this regard.” Also read: Linking of Aadhaar to PDS, Ration Cards a ‘Pain’ For Layperson: Sena to BJP
On the specific question of mandatory linking of Aadhaar number with bank accounts, the RBI said it “has not issued any instruction so far regarding mandatory liking of Aadhaar number with bank accounts”.
The central bank has clearly denied filing any petition with the Supreme Court on seeking explicit permission of linking the two. “RBI has not filed any petition with the Supreme Court,” the RBI said.
The reply highlights that the decision of linking bank accounts with Aadhaar is of the Narendra Modi government and not of the RBI.
Customers have been receiving messages from banks asking them to link their Aadhaar number with bank account. “Dear preferred customer, Govt of India has mandated linking of Aadhaar with your bank A/C. Simply SMS “AR space <Aadhaar No> space <Y>” to 5676712 and ensure your A/C remains active,” says the SMS being sent to those who are yet to the link the two.
