What you see above is an example of an Indian PAN card. After UK recently launched biometric cards for the residents, Indian government has a similar plan in mind as well. The new Indian PAN (Personal Account number) card system will have enhanced biometric features on them.

I think this is a smart idea.UK has already introduced biometrics. US installed biometric scan systems at airports. So why shouldn’t India fall behind in biometric technology? Besides this competition factor, biometrics enhances the security measures on your PAN card. According to the Finance minister P.Chidambardam, the PAN card conversion process is well on the way. He mentioned recently:

Once that process is completed shortly, then we will set a date, after which all new PAN cards will only be biometric

Nowadays, PAN cards are being used for various purposes. People use it as an ID proof, to open bank accounts, and to get telephone connection (both landlines and cell phones). So it is imperative that the ID is protected. Without any enhanced protection, someone might jack your card and you would end up in a big mess. This is called Identity theft and is a growing crime all around the world.

Hopefully the biometrics will solve this problem. The ID cards will carry be an Indian citizen’s DNA from now on. They will have fingerprints. Initially there were talks about cornea scan. But, that seems to be little more expensive. Also, this will eliminate duplicate PAN cards from the system. The growing terrorist threat in India can be checked somewhat with the introduction of the biometric PAN cards.

Image Credits: Raghunathpursls

Source Link: DNA india