Is this a backward step ? Now verification of Original documents required for PAN application required.

According to a new notification by the Ministry of Finance and CBDT dated 24^th January 2014, the procedure for application of PAN will undergo change with effect from 3^rd February 2014.

The purpose of the change is verification of original documents. Every PAN applicant will have to submit self-attested copies of Proof of Identity, Proof of Address and Date of Birth, along with the original of such documents for verification, at PAN facilitation centers.

ORIGINALS? That states that we have to visit the facilitation centers personally?

Before this the whole process of applying for PAN Card was online i.e. filling the data payment and generation of PAN acknowledgement. At the end just sending a post to the PAN department comprising of the PAN acknowledgement and Proof of address and identity, then you would receive the PAN card at your address within 10-15 days.

This amendment raises numerous questions.
Generally PAN application is done by professionals on behalf of their clients, and the whole procedure was done online.

What about Non- residents?
A non-resident staying outside  India, will have to visit the country along with original documents just to get a PAN Card. Is it feasible?

What about companies?
The whole incorporation process has been shifted online. After putting in all the efforts and shifting filing procedures online the government has dropped a notification scraping all the luxury.
Is this a start for shifting back to manual proceedings?

The list of documents accepted as proof will be as per form 49 A. Click here to view the list of documents accepted as proof.

The processing fees for PAN would be Rs. 105 inclusive of all taxes for Indian Residents.

Click here to view the original notification by the CBDT.

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