It is directed to say that various Commissionerates have brought to the notice of the Board that difficulties are being faced in the allotment of New ECC Number because the Central Excise assesses and the registered dealers do not have 10-characters alphanumeric Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income-tax Department. Several persons have quoted the old Pan/GIR of 8 or 12 characters whereas the New ECC Number should necessarily be based on the 10-characters alphanumeric PAN. It has been brought to the notice that many persons have applied for the PAN but the same has not been allotted to them.

2.     In this regard, it is stated that the matter was taken up with the Income-tax Department. Director-General (Systems), Income-tax, has issued letter to all the Chief Commissioners of the Income-tax to ensure that PAN is allotted on priority basis to the Central Excise assesses and registered dealers so that they can be allotted New ECC Number in terms of Circular No. 493/59/99-CX dated 12^th November, 1999. They have also enclosed list of officers at different places along with their telephone numbers who may be contacted for expediting allotment of PAN. Copy of the letter and list of the officers is enclosed** for reference. You are requested to take immediate measures so that the assesses, who have not been allotted PAN so far, may be allotted PAN (and thereafter the New ECC Number) on priority basis.

3.     The trade and field formations may suitably be informed.