New Delhi:
After the success of Jan Dhan Yojana, the government will soon launch a mega programme to expeditiously provide Permanent Account Number (PAN) card to all.
The government in the Budget had announced that quoting of PAN 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.