Chandigarh, June 1 (IANS) In a remarkable decision to bring far more efficiency and check the pilferage of state revenue, the Punjab government on Wednesday announced to abolish the physical stamp papers.
The stamp paper of any denomination can now be obtained via e-stamp i.e. computerised print-out from any stamp vendor or from banks authorised by the government.
After launching the facility, Punjab Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said earlier the e-stamping facility was applicable only to value of above Rs 20,000. "We are extending this facility to stamp papers for all denominations starting from Re 1," he said.
The decision taken by the government will at least save Rs 35 crore annually, which was incurred on printing of stamp papers, besides facilitating the public to obtain stamp papers in a hassle-free manner.
He said most of the time the public had to face difficulty in getting the stamp paper when it was not available with the stamp vendor or had to purchase at higher prices.
The minister said the government will pay a commission of two per cent to the stamp vendors on e-stamps ranging from Re 1 to Rs 19,999, while the public would get stamp paper at actual rate, for instance, they will have to pay only Rs 100 for stamp paper of Rs 100 and no extra commission will be levied.
This step will also help in curbing the stamp paper-linked frauds, he added.
Secretary Revenue Manvesh Singh Sidhu said this facility has been started with the help of National e-Governance Services Ltd. With the launch of the facility, the people will have no need to go anywhere and they can avail these facilities in banks.
Farmers said the UPPCL sent arbitrary electricity bills and if the farmers failed to pay, they are harassed unnecessarily. The farmers locked the door of the power discom office at Noida's sector 16 and continued their protest outside.
Two Pakistan-based men, including a Pakistani intelligence officer, have also been identified and booked in the case, in which one person was arrested earlier, DGP Dinkar Gupta disclosed on Wednesday.
Reacting to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha's criticism of the remarks he had made on Monday in this regard, he lamented that despite his government's unequivocal support to their cause, the farmers had misinterpreted his appeal and had, instead, tried to link it with the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.
Sample this. According to the All India Rice Exporters' Association, in 2018-19 India exported 951 tonnes but the figure shot up in 2020-21 to touch 33,1571 tonnes.
A fire department officer said that a three-story residential building opposite to Robin cinema in Ghanta Ghar Sabzi Mandi near Malka Ganj in Delhi collapsed and the department received a call regarding it at 12 noon. As soon as the fire department received a call, seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot for rescue operations.
Calling the Congress as the only party who protested against these 'black' laws from the very first day, the Chief Minister said his government called an all-party meeting and then held consultations with farm unions.
