and Signature without any need for sending physical documents by post.
      (d) Paperless Application using Aadhaar based e-KYC
            Another paperless procedure for allotment of PAN using Aadhaar data and photograph of
      applicant has been launched. The process is termed as e-KYC process where demographic details
      and photograph of the applicant are populated directly from Aadhaar database by applicant
      through an authentication process. The applicant signs the application using Aadhaar based
      eSignature. The process is entirely paperless and without need for any attachments resulting in
      faster allotment of PAN.
      (e) PAN Card
            All new applicants and card reprint requests are now being provided option of receiving
      digitally signed ePAN card on the lines of e-Aadhaar letter through email. The initiative has
      reduced the time of transmission of PAN card through post.
      (f) Common Service Centres
            Common Service Centres (Village Level Enterprises) have been enrolled with PAN Service
      Providers M/s UTIITSL and M/s NSDL e-Gov for receiving PAN applications in far flung
      corners of the country. The initiative has resulted in outreach of PAN services at village level.
      (g) Electronic filing of Income Tax Returns
            e-Filing of Income tax returns was introduced for the first time in 2006-07 for corporates.
      This facility is free of cost to taxpayers. e-returns now account for nearly 98 per cent of total
      returns filed with the Department. The e-filing website which has over 6.2 crore registered users
      also provides facility for online filing of various types of forms including audit reports,
      applications and informational statements by taxpayers. More than 50 forms are available online.
      (h) IT enablement of Business Processes
            Technology also has an important role in re-engineering business process within the tax
      administration to empower employees in delivering outcomes in a consistent and efficient
      manner. Income Tax Business Application (ITBA) was conceptualized with development of new
      application for computerization of all internal processes of Income Tax Department. The main
      objective of ITBA is to e-enable all internal business processes so that officers and staff are able
      to increase their efficiency by bringing information and work at a single place for decision
      making and reduce drudgery in reporting, correspondence and internal approvals.
      (i) Unification of Grievance Redressal Systems- e-Nivaran
            e-Nivaran aims to fast track taxpayer’s grievance redressal, ensuring early resolution by
      integrating all the online and physical grievances received by the department and keeping track
      of it until it reaches its logical conclusion.
      (j) National Website of the Income Tax Department
      http:/incometaxindia.gov.in
            A major initiative to enhance taxpayer services was launched by the Income tax Department
      in 2014 with the unveiling of the new national website (www.incHmctaxindia.gov.in). The same
      was revamped in 2015 and services incorporated keeping in mind feedback received from