Kumar told reporters after releasing `Taxmann' compact discs (CDs) on direct tax matters that the income tax department was carrying out a massive computerisation programme and it would be in a position to allot permanent account numbers online in a month as promised by finance minister Yashwant Sinha.

The minister said that the department would issue the PAN cards quickly despite the mounting number of new assessees following the extension of the one by six tax criteria to 73 more towns and cities.

"Preparations are underway to provide facilities in all these centres so that new applicants can get their permanent account numbers online," he said.

Kumar said that the four CDs on tax computation, income tax rules and forms, direct tax laws and tax deducted at source (TDS) would be of help to the assessess, tax experts and the department, besides resulting in greater tax compliance.