New Delhi: Concerned over increasing misuse of Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards, the Government is likely to introduce biometric solution so that no one can get a duplicate card. A joint Working Group in the Ministry of Finance has given its report after obtaining technical and commercial proposals from leading biometric solution providers, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour. "The report is under consideration at present," the minister said. He also informed the House, that the number of persons suspected to have duplicate PANs are estimated to be 13,10,127 through out the country.

The verification exercise as of August 10, 2007 has been completed in respect of 11,43,919 persons, out of which 10,18421 PAN cards have been found to be duplicate and have been deactivated. On the biometric solution, the Minister said "it was being considered so that no one could obtain duplicate card".

Replying to another question with regard to cloning of credit cards resulting in frauds, Chidambaram said: Out of millions of cards issued through out India only 127 instances were reported in 2006 and the amount involved was Rs 235.42 lakh. While in 2007, till June, 61 cases have come forward involving Rs 123.11 crore.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a part of its supervisory process has been sensitising banks from time to time about common fraud prone areas, modus operandi and the measures to be taken by them to prevent or reduce the incidence of frauds in banks. Chidambaram, however, said that it was the responsibility of owner of a credit card to ensure that no body could misuse it.

Asked whether any bank employee was involved in cloning of credit cards, the minister said no such instance has been reported. On the proposed unique identification card for multi purposes, Chidamabaram said: The Ministry of Home Affairs was examining the matter and had also launched a pilot project in the border areas before taking a final decision. (PTI)