Mamata accepts directive on Aadhaar linking

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she accepts the directive of the Supreme Court in connection with linking Aadhaar with mobile phone numbers.

"They (Supreme Court judges) have delivered their directive and we will obey that. We appreciate it and I don't think there is any problem," Banerjee said at the state secretariat Nabanna.

The apex court had earlier in the day questioned the West Bengal government's petition challenging the Centre's decision to make Aadhaar mandatory to avail social benefits under government welfare schemes and linking Aadhaar with mobile phone connections, saying it was violating an individual's Right to Privacy and was also against the country's federal structure.

"See, we had some grounds (to move the apex court). But, we accept the court's observation and there is no problem at all. We have seen some individuals have already applied," the chief minister said.

While addressing party workers and leaders during an extended core committee meeting of the Trinamool Congress last week, Banerjee had said she would not link her mobile phone number with Aadhaar, even if the service provider disconnects her number for not following the Centre's strictures.

She had lambasted the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for trying to swoop on the lives of individuals and violating people's Right to Privacy.

Several petitions challenging the Centre's order to link Aadhaar with government welfare schemes and mobile phone numbers and bank accounts are pending with Supreme Court.