New norms on issuing of PAN (Permanent Account Number) cards requiring verification of original documents have been put on hold by Union Finance Ministry. The existing procedure on PAN application and allotment are to continue.
Under the new norms, a PAN applicant has to submit self-attested copies of proof of identity, address and date of birth, and has to submit the original documents of DOB/POA for verification at PAN facilitation centres. After the verification procedure, all the original documents will be returned on spot.
According to Income Tax department officials, under the proposed norms cost of obtaining a PAN card is fixed at Rs. 105. The purpose of the new norms is to eliminate the problem of fake and multiple cards.
Source – Economic Times