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.
While complimenting the enforcement officers, he said their hands-on approach has led to large number of seizures in the state of fake and smuggled goods. He was speaking at an interactive session by FICCI CASCADE on the 'Strategies' to combat smuggling and counterfeiting, here.
Cheema was responding the Centre's decision on new rules governing the Chandigarh Administration employees, who are currently working under the Punjab service rules but will now come under the Central Civil Services Rules.
Reacting strongly to the announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to bring Chandigarh union territory employees under Central civil services rules, the SAD said, "It is incumbent on the AAP government to make the Centre understand that Chandigarh is a union territory as per an ad-hoc arrangement only.
As per the Commission, as no objection has been lodged with them from anywhere on this issue, no action can be taken in advance in this matter.Starting from the 2022-23 academic year, the state government has decided to add the Hindu religious book to the curriculum of classes 6 to 12.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials carried out raids at 11 places in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in connection with the fake gun licences scam in which Rs 2.78 lakh were issued to non-entitled persons. The ED carried out raids till Thursday evening.
"As the police reached the spot, they found a purple colour traveller bag in which an unknown body of male, 20/22 years old, with throat slit injuries, was stuffed," said the official, adding the body was clad in white kurta pajama.
