Aadhaar row

The recent budget announcement relating to quoting of Aadhaar interchangeability in lieu of PAN card may evoke a mixed response amidst the existing confusions. Salaried tax payers are under immense pressure to ‘honestly’ file income tax returns every year, notwithstanding the prevailing confusions to attach Aadhaar with PAN. Also the rule that Aadhaar may be quoted in the absence of a PAN is not clear as it may set a precedent of not adhering to mandatory quoting of PAN card details. While the move has been made to ease the tax compliance burden, confirming to Aadhaar validation for all the necessary services is debatable. Post-Supreme Court verdict made Aadhaar a voluntary option to the citizens. An another sop – ‘Aadhaar on Arrival’ to NRIs with Indian passports whilst equating the same similar to a visa service – is notable, with a primary intent to attract key investments to the economy.

Varun Dambal

Nagarbhavi