NHRCCB Assam urges PM Modi to exempt charge on Aadhaar-PAN linkage

A CORRESPONDENT

JAMUGURIHAT: The linkage of Aadhaar card and PAN is expected to play a special role in preventing beneficiaries from providing false information in tax evasion and in availing various government benefits. The Supreme Court has issued an important judgment after the deadline mentioned in circular No. 7 issued by the Revenue Department of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on March 30, 2022 for PAN-Aadhaar link had already expired.

The period for the same was extended for two North Eastern states including Assam and Jammu-Kashmir. However, this system is already being implemented with a fee of rupees one thousand. Nishant Thard, State President, National Human Rights and Crime Control Bureau, Assam, has written to the Prime Minister of India to reconsider the issue of the fee. The letter called on the government to stop charging fees.

In a press release issued by Mrinmay Kr. Nath, State Media Officer of the NGRCCB, Assam the president of the organization made it clear that if 100% PAN-Aadhaar card link is to be ensured in India, it is more necessary to attract the educationally disadvantaged and economically weaker people instead of the issue of penalties.

It may be mentioned here that the literacy rate in the tea garden areas is still unsatisfactory as most of the people of Assam belong below the poverty line.

Similarly, the Prime Minister is requested to consider the call of the hour to consider how much the common people are aware or feel the need for this system. At present, the matter appears as serious concern to which the labourers working in tea gardens and ordinary workers are worried about. The amount of rupees one thousand penalty for linking Aadhaar and PAN cards is unbearable for such needy people.

These workers, who earn only Rs 6,000 or Rs 7,000 per month, are worried about how they will pay rupees one thousand from their monthly income to do the linkage. This will have a significant impact on their meagre income. The workers are also likely to face monthly salary cuts in view of the directive.

The organization president Nisant Thard has urged if the charge of fee cannot be waived then that the amount of the fee be reduced to a nominal figure so that even the poorest people can bear the burden of the fee.