9236 - 2016: False info by non-PAN holders can land them in jail - Economic Times

2016: False info by non-PAN holders can land them in jail

PTI Dec 31, 2015, 07.58PM IST

NEW DELHI: A false declaration by an individual not possessing PAN card for certain value of transactions can land him upto a seven-year jail term and a hefty fine as part of Income Tax regulations that will come into force from tomorrow.

As part of the directives issued by the government for implementation of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) regime from January 1, any person not having a PAN but undertaking a transaction which requires a mandatory quoting of it, will have to fill up 'Form No. 60'.

The one-page form seeks personal details of the person undertaking the transaction along with a valid proof of identity and address, like Aadhaar and Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) among others.

"There are people who may not have a PAN and still make a large transaction for which quoting of PAN is now essential. In such cases, such people have to fill Form 60 and making a false declaration of information in this will make them liable for punishment which could be a maximum of seven years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with fine or a minimum of three months RI with fine under IT laws," a senior tax department official said.

The department is empowered to file a prosecution case against such people under section 277 of the IT Act (false statement in verification), the official said.

The said Act stipulates that in a case where tax sought to be evaded exceeds Rs 25 lakh (by way of false declaration in Form 60), the punishment is RI between 6 months-7 years with fine and in cases below this monetary limit, the punishment will be RI between 3 months-2 years with fine.

In order to achieve a two-pronged target of curbing the circulation of black money and widening tax base, the government has recently notified changes in the monetary limits that will require mandatory quoting of PAN.

PAN has been made compulsory from tomorrow for transactions like cash payment of hotel or foreign travel bill exceeding Rs 50,000, purchase of jewellery above Rs two lakhs in cash or card, purchase of immovable property of over Rs 10 lakh, term deposits exceeding Rs 50,000 or Rs 5 lakh in a year with banks, Post Offices and Non Banking Financial Companies among others.

Under the 'Form No. 60', an individual has to provide his personal details like name, address, date of birth, mobile number and mode of transaction like cash, cheque, card, draft or banker's cheque, online transfer or any other.

The form has an exclusive column to provide the Aadhaar number of the declarant and also includes space for mentioning the acknowledgement number which could have been received by them while applying for this 10-digit alphanumeric number.

The form also asks for the estimated total income of the person along with separate columns for their possible agricultural and non-agricultural income.

The latest notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes in this regard states that PAN would be mandatory for cash payments of more than Rs 50,000 for cash cards or prepaid instruments as well as for purchasing shares of unlisted companies for Rs 1 lakh and above.

8835 - FM Arun Jaitley’s Facebook post: Linking PAN with cash transactions will hit blackmoney hard - Financial Express

FM Arun Jaitley’s Facebook post: Linking PAN with cash transactions will hit blackmoney hard

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has done well by announcing in his Facebook post on Sunday that the government is planning to link permanent account number (PAN) with cash transactions to combat blackmoney.

By: Santosh Tiwari | October 5, 2015 3:36 PM

In a country of more than 120 crore people, only 3.6 crore file income tax returns despite more than 17 crore having PAN. Extensive use of PAN and its linking with Aadhaar is a key tax reform for curbing tax evasion and blackmoney.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has done well by announcing in his Facebook post on Sunday that the government is planning to link permanent account number (PAN) with cash transactions to combat blackmoney.

Linking of cash transactions with PAN would mean that the records of any cash transaction beyond a certain limit could be accessed by the Income-Tax Department – while this will help find out the tax evaders, it will also act as a deterrent and shut this major window for blackmoney operations.

The FM’s Facebook post has obviously been to tell people what the NDA government is doing to tackle black money after embarrassing results of the three-month compliance window which saw the disclosure of just Rs 3,770 crore; but the direction in which the government is moving now, though delayed, will yield good results if the steps he has outlined are pursued judiciously.

Jaitley has said: “The Government is at an advanced stage in considering the requirement of furnishing PAN card details if cash transactions beyond a certain limit are undertaken. The monitoring regime of income tax has been strengthened and its capacity to access information and apply technology driven analytical tools to expose evasion, has been enhanced. Its ability to detect large cash withdrawals, or large cash transactions which enter the system, is being strengthened. GST regime once introduced will also be a landmark step in this direction. Thus for commodities like gold where the initial purchase by the exporter is after the payment of custom duty, the subsequent transactions which are mostly in cash, can easily be found out”.

Going forward, it is quite clear that the government might also look at restructuring the personal income tax rate structure to address the issue of the highest tax rate of 30% kicking in at a low income of Rs 10 lakh – it should kick in at a higher income – and also enhanced promotion of plastic money.

The government must take note of the Tax Administration Reforms Commission (TARC) report’s suggestion here.

The Commission in one of its report submitted to the finance ministry in November 2014 pointed out that, “India has a low taxpayer base even as a percentage of the total population. With a population of over 120 crore, only 17 crore have a PAN and of these, about 3.6 crore file income tax returns. Only 3.3 per cent of the population pays tax, which is very low compared to 39 per cent in Singapore, 46 per cent in the USA, and 75 per cent in New Zealand. This, of course, reflects India’s low income levels, which, for a large part of the population, falls below the basic income tax threshold; yet huge potential remains to expand the taxpayer base… the base could perhaps be doubled at most to say 7 per cent”.

The Income-Tax Department has already started linking Aadhaar numbers to PAN through e-filing of tax returns to make the refund process easier and a non-intrusive handling of the taxpayers – 3,492,298 returns are already PAN-Aadhaar linked – and this process needs to be extended as far and wide as possible.

First Published on October 05, 2015 11:24 am

8291 - Skill card: the latest of India’s government cards - Live Mint

Skill card: the latest of India’s government cards

The skill card will have a quick response code and by scanning it, an employer will know what kind of skill course a person has undergone

Saurabh Kumar  |  Prashant K. Nanda 

Narendra Modi is expected to unveil the skill card, which can be used by employers to verify the skill training credentials obtained by any job seeker, on Wednesday. Photo: Bloomberg

New Delhi: The Union government is all set to put another card in the pockets of its youth. This time, it will be called the “skill card”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the card, which can be used by employers to verify the skill training credentials obtained by any job seeker, on Wednesday.

This card is an addition to the already long list of cards that every Indian requires—Permanent Account Number card (PAN), Aadhaar card, driving licence and voter’s identity card. Not to forget the pieces of plastic—debit and credit cards—that are also becoming must-haves as the government is pushing towards a cashless economy.

The skill card will have a quick response (QR) code and by scanning it, an employer will know what kind of skill course a person has undergone and what type of certification he or she has been awarded. For a trained job seeker, it will lead to less hassle—he or she will not have to carry bundles of certificates.

The card may be converted into a smart card, with an embedded chip over time. While the skill and entrepreneurship ministry will start giving skill cards for a few select schemes initially, it may become the norm for all 70-odd skill schemes by 21 ministries and departments. India aims to skill-train over 400 million people between now and 2022.

The concept, however, is not unique and is already in use in some countries. For example in the UK, construction workers can obtain a CSCS (construction skill certification scheme) card which is provided under a skills certification scheme. Most builders ask workers to produce the card at the construction site which serves as a proof that the particular person has the required skill set and qualification to carry out the type of work required.

Experts are divided over the move. A retired bureaucrat of the central government said that instead of having a new card, government could have linked all these into existing card or number like an Aadhaar number. But Tahsin Zahid, chairman of the skills committee at industry lobby group PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said he thinks the card is a good idea.

“If a young person can carry it and it becomes a tool for better employment opportunity, then why not?,” Zahid asked.

The Union government is also exploring the launch of a revised social security smart card in the near future that will combine the service platforms of three schemes—the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (health and life insurance schemes) and the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

8048 - Income Tax Department Working on Linking PAN to Aadhaar - IB Times

Income Tax Department Working on Linking PAN to Aadhaar

• By Besta Shankar
  May 25, 2015 20:09 IST

Nandan Nelikani, former chairman of the 

Unique Identification Authority of India.Reuters

The income tax department seems to be finding ways to expedite the process of linking permanent account number (PAN) with the unique identity number Aadhaar, a step that could eliminate duplicate PANs and assist the government in taking action against those evading tax.

To achieve this, the Income Tax Dax department is looking at introducing online Aadhaar number authentication facility while allotting PAN, two tax department officials close to the development told Livemint.

"We have successfully undertaken a 360-degree profiling of taxpayers where with the help of a PAN we are monitoring all transactions linked with the PAN. Cross-seeding with Aadhaar will ensure that only genuine PANs remain in the system," said an official.

Besides, the department has included a separate column in the PAN application form for taxpayers to mention their Aadhaar number although it is not mandatory.

The I-T department had also asked the Aadhaar number of taxpayers in the recent income tax return form. However, the new form is being reworked by the department following complaints made by some taxpayers over strict rules asking to reveal their all bank accounts and foreign trips in a particular year.

However, the requirement to disclose Aadhaar number is likely to be kept unchanged, said an official.

As per the finance ministry's annual report for FY15, the tax department had linked 4.63 million Aadhaar numbers with PAN database.

The income tax department has been relying on technology to guarantee that duplicate PANs are not issued. However, a few taxpayers were able to get more than one PAN by altering their personal information in the PAN application form.

To contain these mal-practices, the I-T department had opted to issue a biometric PAN. However, the move was halted by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to prevent duplication of its efforts, as it captures biometric information though an iris scan and fingerprint.

"Since Aadhaar uses fingerprints and iris scans, its cross-tabbing with PAN should help weed out duplicate PANs and help the tax department in its anti-tax evasion drive," he said.

"At present, identity theft is a real problem in India. There is no effective measure to even monitor PANs of those who have died," he added.

8043 - I-T department exploring ways to seed PAN with Aadhaar - Live Mint

I-T department exploring ways to seed PAN with Aadhaar

The move will weed out duplicate PANs and help the government’s drive against tax evaders

Remya Nair 

The tax department has also added an additional column in the PAN application form for taxpayers to give their Aadhaar number. Photo: Rajkumar/Mint

New Delhi: The income tax department is exploring ways to hasten the pace of seeding permanent account number, or PAN, with the unique identity number Aadhaar, a move that will weed out duplicate PANs and help the government’s drive against tax evaders.

To this end, the department is working on setting up an online Aadhaar number authentication facility during the PAN allotment process, two tax department officials familiar with the development said on condition of anonymity.

In addition, the tax department has added an additional column in the PAN application form for taxpayers to give their Aadhaar number. However, this is not mandatory.

The tax department had also sought the Aadhaar number from taxpayers who have the unique identity in the recently released income tax return form. This form, however, is being reworked after some taxpayers complained about stringent provisions in it requiring them to disclose all their bank accounts and foreign trips undertaken in a year.

The requirement to provide the Aadhaar number is, however, likely to be retained, said one of the two tax department officials cited above, who did not wish to be identified.

As of December 2014, the tax department had seeded 4.63 million Aadhaar numbers had been linked to the PAN database, according to finance ministry’s annual report for 2014-15.

The income tax department has been using technology to match personal details to ensure that duplicate PANs are not issued. However, some taxpayers managed to get more than one PAN by making some changes in their personal information at the time of submission of the PAN application.

To check this, the tax department had decided to move to a biometric PAN. This was put on hold to avoid duplicating the efforts of the Unique Identification Authority of India or UIDAI, which was capturing biometric information though an iris scan and fingerprint.

With Aadhaar expanding its reach, the government is hopeful that it will successfully cross-tab PAN and Aadhaar.

PAN is a 10-digit alpha-numeric number allotted by the income tax department and is mandatory for conducting tax transactions and high-value financial transactions. It is required for making tax payments, opening bank and demat accounts and even obtaining registration of service tax and excise duty. Almost 220 million PAN numbers had been allotted by the tax department till December end.

“We have successfully undertaken a 360-degree profiling of taxpayers where with the help of a PAN we are monitoring all transactions linked with the PAN. Cross-seeding with Aadhaar will ensure that only genuine PANs remain in the system,” said the second official.

The tax department has been taking a number of steps to leverage PAN and track unaccounted money in the system. This year’s budget made it mandatory for PAN to be quoted for any purchase or sale exceeding the value of Rs.1 lakh. It also sought to ask employees to disclose their PAN number while withdrawing their corpus from the employees provident fund or be subject to be taxed at the highest rate of 30%.

The tax department has been struggling for many years to weed out duplicate PANs, said B.M. Singh, former chairman of the central board of direct taxes.

“Since Aadhaar uses fingerprints and iris scans, its cross-tabbing with PAN should help weed out duplicate PANs and help the tax department in its anti-tax evasion drive,” he said. “At present, identity theft is a real problem in India. There is no effective measure to even monitor PANs of those who have died,” he said.

7940 - Post Jan Dhan Yojana, government plans to expeditiously provide PAN cards to all - Economic Times

Post Jan Dhan Yojana, government plans to expeditiously provide PAN cards to all

By PTI | 10 May, 2015, 02.04PM IST

The government in the Budget had announced that quoting of PAN ((Permanent Account Number) will be mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding Rs 1 lakh. 

NEW DELHI: After the success of Jan Dhan Yojana, the government will soon launch a mega programme to expeditiously provide PAN card to all.

The government in the Budget had announced that quoting of PAN ((Permanent Account Number) will be mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding Rs 1 lakh. But, concerns were raised about complying with this condition since everyone, particularly in rural areas, does not possess a PAN card.

Sources said an online facility for issuance of PAN is on the anvil under which an applicant can get a PAN card within 48 hours.

Besides, special camps will be organised throughout the country, including rural areas, to help people get PAN cards.

There are about 24-25 crore families in the country and about 21 crore PAN cards have been issued so far. Of these, 7.5 lakh are with corporates.

Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha had accepted recently that many people do not have PAN cards.

"We are going to make it as easy as possible to be able to get the PAN cards. If we can sign up everybody with the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, you can be sure that we can sign up people for PAN cards also," he had said.

PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card by the Income Tax Department.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the apex policy-making body of the I-T Department, had issued a notification making the Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and Aadhaar valid proofs of "date of birth" for obtaining a PAN card.

PAN is required for filing return of income, sale or purchase of any immovable property beyond a certain amount, and sale or purchase of a motor vehicle, among others.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, launched in August last year, about 12.54 crore bank accounts have been opened.

7007 - Govt plans to link PAN cards with Aadhaar numbers - Deccan Herald

Govt plans to link PAN cards with Aadhaar numbers

Shemin Joy, New Delhi, Nov 29, 2014, DHNS:

Aadhaar may find its utility further increasing under the Narendra Modi government with the Finance Ministry contemplating to make the unique identification number mandatory for PAN cards to ensure that a second card is not issued for a person.

Duplicity of PAN cards are a “constant source of tension” for the ministry’s Department of Revenue as it could be used for evasion of tax and it is looking at ways to overcome the problem.

The ministry has faced the wrath of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for the “disquieting lapse” while examining the issue of duplicate or invalid PAN (Permanent Account Number) cards issued by the Income Tax Department.

The Department of Revenue had admitted to the shortcomings in its system to weed out multiplicity of PAN cards, following which the PAC asked the department to explore the possibility of issuing PAN cards based on biometric data like fingerprints or iris scan or photo.

Though the PAC did not mention Aadhaar, a top official of the Department of Revenue had told the panel led by Congress MP K V Thomas that Aadhaar is a “very useful tool” for de-duplication of PAN cards.

“Duplicate PAN cards, despite our publicity drive, continue to worry us. We never made Aadhaar compulsory with the PAN card. It was optional. As and when if Aadhaar gets populated on the entire PAN card basis, that is a very good method for de-duplication,” the official said.

The government will have to continuously educate people and take action in order to ensure that no one has more than one PAN card, the official said.

When asked whether the ministry had contemplated issuance of biometric PAN cards, the official said, “Right now, even in the I-T form, Aadhaar is totally voluntary. At some stage, we could have asked them by saying: You put your Aadhaar number.”

PAN, a unique 10-digit alphanumeric identity allotted to each taxpayer, is used as a universal identification key to track financial transactions that might have a taxable component to prevent tax evasion. It is illegal for a person to possess two PAN cards.

Though the BJP during election campaigning had talked about reviewing whether to continue with Aadhaar numbers, the Modi government has gone all out for the unique number after coming to power. Several initiatives are now linked to Aadhaar.

5125 - Editorial: Won’t PAN out - Financial xpress

Editorial: Won’t PAN out

| Updated: Jan 30 2014, 03:14 IST

SUMMARY

Linking PAN with Aadhaar is a better solution

Given the growing number of fake Permanent Account Numbers (PAN), it is not surprising the tax department wants to do something about it. After all, to the extents its tax intelligence efforts—matching data on high-value purchases got from jewellery shops, for instance, with tax returns—are based on PAN data, it is critical for the number of fake PANs to be kept to a minimum. Right now, when the taxman matches data on high-value expenditure—where declaring a PAN is mandatory—it is finding the PANs quoted are often fake. That’s hardly surprising given that, while India has around 3.5 crore taxpayers, the total number of PAN cards issued is well over 20 crore.

Which is why it has now asked that those applying for a PAN number should personally visit the nearest PAN centre and have their documents verified—once verified, the documents will be returned, and the PAN applications processed. While that sounds perfectly reasonable, the problem is that physical verifications take away the simplicity of e-filing PAN applications today. Indeed, one of the unique selling propositions of the tax department to get people to file for PAN cards is that the process is simple and hassle-free. More important, while the physical verification of proof of identity and addresses may be seen as helping check fraud, it does nothing of the sort. After all, the ID proofs being submitted could also be fake. And even if it resolves the problem for future applications, given the way PAN numbers have grown, how do you deal with the existing 20 crore PAN cards?

A simpler solution, under the circumstances, is to use the Aadhaar number which even the Reserve Bank of India has accepted as a valid Know Your Customer (KYC) proof for banks. There are over 56 crore individuals who have Aadhaar numbers already and each of them are distinct since the Aadhaar system has a robust de-duplication process based on biometrics. If all existing PAN card holders are asked to submit their Aadhaar numbers, it would be a relatively simple task to identify the fake PAN card holders—after all, while it is possible

5028 - Now, Aadhaar Card valid identity, address proof to get PAN - Business Standard

Now, Aadhaar Card valid identity, address proof to get PAN

The UIDAI has issued about 51 crore Aadhaar numbers so far with about 11 lakh of such numbers generated every day

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi  December 26, 2013 Last Updated at 18:07 IST

The Income Tax Department will now accept Aadhaar Card as a proof of identity and address for issuance of Permanent Account Number (PAN).

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued a notification expanding the list of documents admissible as proof of identity and address by including Aadhaar Card.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on behalf of the Government of India.

Now, Aadhaar Card can be used to for getting a PAN, which is a ten-digit alphanumeric number, issued in the form of a laminated card, by the Income Tax Department.

The UIDAI has issued about 51 crore Aadhaar numbers so far with about 11 lakh of such numbers generated every day.

Other documents for identify accepted by the Income Tax Department include elector's photo identity card, ration card having photograph of the applicant, passport, driving licence, arms license and photo identity card issued by government or a public sector undertaking.

Documents for address proof include, electricity bill, landline telephone or broadband connection bill, consumer gas connection card or book or piped gas bill, bank account statement, passport of applicant or even spouse, among others.

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India had also notified that Aadhaar Card is a valid proof for opening of a bank account under the Know Your Customer (KYC) scheme.

3220 - Get Aadhaar to obtain PAN card now

Get Aadhaar to obtain PAN card now

PTI | Apr 7, 2013, 12.31 PM IST

READ MORE UIDAI|Proof|Unique Identification|Pan|AADHAAR

The ministry, through the Income Tax department, has already incorporated more than 1.75 lakh Aadhaar numbers in its database since it notified a new form 49A for getting PAN last year.

NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification (UID) Aadhaar number will soon be a "valid" proof of identity and address to obtain a PAN card. 

A proposal for inclusion of Aadhaar in the existing list of valid proof of identification and proof of address for allotment of PAN was sent to the finance ministry by the Unique Identification Authority of India sometime back. 

The ministry has decided to notify rules in this regard. It is aimed at curbing the menace of fake or duplicate PAN cards which are allotted by I-T department to taxpayers. 

"Once Aadhaar is accepted as a valid proof for obtaining PAN, the I-T department would be able to weed out the menace of fake, forging or duplication of PAN cards. 

"The amalgamation of the databases is in full swing and the ministry would soon notify the rules in this regard," a senior finance ministry official said. 

The ministry, through the Income Tax department, has already incorporated more than 1.75 lakh Aadhaar numbers in its database since it notified a new form 49A for getting PAN last year. 

It has been working for nearly three years on the plan of creating a biometric database of taxpayers which it will now achieve by incorporating the Aadhaar data which has been taken on similar lines. 

Till now, a variety of documents, like voter ID card, passport, driving licence and documents of owning or renting a property were used as a proof to obtain the Permanent Account Number (PAN). 

The ministry had last year brought out a new PAN application form-- 49A for use of Indian citizens, companies and entities incorporated in the country which allows a applicant to mention his or her Aadhaar number. 

The finance ministry, which had first mooted the proposal of generating and issuing biometric PAN in 2006, had kept the decision pending for sometime as it was felt that both the agencies (UIDAI and I-T) would be "duplicating the effort" to reach a common goal -- biometrics-based identity. 

In 2006, the ministry had proposed that the biometric PAN cards would have the I-T assesses' fingerprints (two from each hand) and the face. This will now be achieved by collating the Aadhaar database with that of the PAN. 

According to latest data (till December last), more than 16.49 crore PAN cards have been issued in the country. 

The I-T department, in a number of cases, has unearthed a number of individuals possessing multiple PAN cards or forging the details to evade taxes and create 'benami' properties.

____________________________________

2552 - Aadhar, PAN databases to be merged together - Hindu Business Line

Aadhar, PAN databases to be merged together

NEW DELHI, APRIL 29: 

In order to weed out the problem of fake PAN cards and to ensure an accurate biometric data, the Government has initiated a project to bring together both the Aadhar and the PAN databases.

The Nandan Nilekani-led Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues the Aadhar number which is now being synchronised with the Permanent Account Number database maintained by the I-T Department.

The Finance Ministry, which had first mooted the proposal of generating and issuing biometric PAN in 2006, had kept the decision pending for sometime as it was felt that both the agencies (UIDAI and I-T Department) would be “duplicating the effort” to reach a common goal — biometrics-based identity.

“It has been decided to integrate both the Aadhar and the PAN database which will help the agencies to maintain a correct database for ensuring two things.

“While the Aadhar will ensure effective disbursal of government schemes to citizens, the biometric PAN card database will help stop the forgery of PAN cards which begets economic crimes,” a senior Finance Ministry official said.

The Finance Ministry, under the then Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, in 2006, had proposed that the biometric PAN cards would have the I-T assesses’ fingerprints (two from each hand) and the face.

This will now be achieved by collating the Aadhar database with that of the PAN.

The entire effort to have a biometric PAN card was to avoid duplication and stop fraudulent practices by tax evaders and anti-nationals and now with the delivery of the UID number, it has achieved the same purpose, the official added.

The I-T Department, in a number of cases, has uncovered several individuals possessing multiple PAN cards or forging the details to evade taxes and create ‘benami’ properties.

According to a latest data of the I-T Department (till November, 2011), a total of 13,74,03,213 PANs are valid at present.

The PAN card-Aadhar card, according to the official, is being developed as a “national identifier” document by the Government.

It is being integrated with other official databases for ensuring implementation of schemes and creating an effective enforcement tool against financial offences like tax evasion and money laundering.

While PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number allotted by the I-T Department to taxpayers, biometrics is a biological method to identify physical features of an individual.

Keywords: PAN cards, biometric data, Nandan Nilekani, UIDAI, Aadhar number, permanent account number, taxpayers, alphanumeric numer, individual, physical features

2169 - Biometric PAN back on the cards? - Planet Biometrics

12/04/11

The Indian government looks set to issue biometric Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards to taxpayers in an effort to combat the problem of fake and duplicate documents.

The move follows last year’s decision by the government to postpone the project to avoid duplication with the massive UIDAI scheme being rolled out.

Duplicate document issuance is a problem for the country. A 2010-2011 report on direct taxes from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India reveals that 95.8 million PAN cards were issued up to March 2010 compared with 34.09 million income tax returns filed.

According to local media reports, India’s Finance Ministry has now decided the cards should be optional to existing PAN card holders. These will contain two fingerprints from each hand as well as the facial image of each card holder.

Biometric PAN cards were initially proposed back in 2006, and the first new cards could be issued later this year, according to local reports.

1688 - State lags behind in compiling identity database - Indian Express

Express News Service Posted online: 

Sun Oct 09 2011, 02:49 hrs

Kolkata : West Bengal needs nearly 3100 biometric kits immediately to step up the preparation of National Population Register and issuance of Resident Identity Card (RIC), containing Unique Identification Number (UID), a scheme of the Union Home ministry. At present, it has got only about 200 kits that have been put to use in certain districts. But the demand falls far short of the requirement, casting doubts over the completion of the job within a specified time frame.
 

A review meeting on the progress of preparation of the NPR was held last week in New Delhi and West Bengal was found to be lagging behind many other states. A deadline of December 2012 was set for the work to be completed and Bengal was asked to speed up its drive for the NPR.

However, the Union Home ministry officials have assured the state government representatives that it will facilitate the supply of biometric kits, each one of which costs close to about Rs 1.5 lakh. A consortium of companies like the BHEL, the ECIL and ITI have been entrusted with the responsibility of supplying the biometric kits.
Meanwhile, the Union Home ministry has agreed to the West Bengal government’s suggestion of incorporating four criteria in the database of each individual to be registered with the NPR. These are in addition to the 15 point personal details that the Union government had devised for the database to be created for each resident. The state government wanted PAN number, Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) number, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Job card number and a recently concluded National Rural Household Survey particulars to be included into the database.

The National Population Register and the issuance of Resident Identity Card envisage collection of personal details of all residents of the country along with photographs and 10 finger prints and Iris mapping for all of the age of 5 and above. The NPR will contain the details of all the “usual residents” of the country regardless of whether they are citizens or non-citizens.