Press Release

dated 23 May 2008 

Foreign Institutional Investors - Delay in issuance of PAN card

The Income Tax Department strongly denied the claims that the Foreign Institutional Investors’ (FIIs’) investments had declined due to delay in issuance of PAN cards. It further clarified that the allotment and issue of PAN cards was carried in partnership with UTITSL and NSDL, and that the PAN cards were being issued within 15 days. And if at all there was a delay in issuance of PAN cards, it was due to incomplete documentation by the applicants. 

It has been reported in some sections of the media that investments by the Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) had declined in the last few months and one of the reasons for the decline in FII investments is the alleged delay in issue of Permanent Account Number (PAN) or PAN cards to FIIs by the Income Tax department.

There is no truth in such report and the Income Tax department strongly denies such allegations.

The allotment and issue of PAN cards is carried out by the Income Tax department in partnership with UTITSL and NSDL.

During 2007-08, UTITSL received 100 applications for new PAN cards and all these were issued within 15 days. The average time taken was 15 days. As on 31.3.2008, there were no pending applications for new PAN cards.

During the same period, NSDL received 558 applications for new PAN cards, out of which 81% were issued within 15 days and 13% were issued between 16 to 30 days. The average time taken was 13 days. As on 31.3.2008, there were only 2 pending applications for new PAN cards.

Delays, if any, in issuance of PAN cards take place usually due to incomplete documentation by applicants. Applicants must, therefore, ensure that the documentation required for making application for PAN is complete in all respects.

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes