Now, Get E-stamps of all Denominations

Stamp papers may soon become history in the national capital. The Delhi government has decided to completely do away with stamp papers of denominations of R500 and less and replace them with e-stamps, a move aimed at ensuring easier transactions and check fraudulent practices.

“People will be given an online receipt with a barcode that can be authenticated by the sub-registrar's office,“ a Delhi government official said. Buying non-judicial stamp papers by paying some extra cash to your local stamp vendor will soon be a thing of the past.

In a bid to check black marketing of stamp papers and ensure easier transactions, the Delhi government has decided to completely switch over to e-stamps. Soon, e-stamps of all denominations, including R500 and below, will be available at authorised centers.

The government will also keep a tab on black marketing of stamp papers as they are required for rent agreements, property registration and all kinds of affidavits, etc.

“People will be given an online receipt which will have a barcode that the sub-registrar offices will be able to authenticate. A number of collection centers will be set up and people will not have to travel distances to get such e-stamps. This will also ensure that people are not overcharged,“ said a senior Delhi government official.

A decision was taken in a Delhi cabinet meeting. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the Delhi government has become the first state to issue e-stamps of all denominations.

“The complete switchover to the e-stamp mode will prevent all fraudulent practice in this field,“ said Dikshit.

Currently, e-stamp collection per month is in the range of R200 crore. Non-judicial stamp papers of denomination of R500 and below are being sold in paper form.

Various licensed stamp vendors purchase the papers on a day-to-day basis. The annual sale of physical non-judicial stamp papers is about R60 crore.

The benefits of e-stamps are that they are tamper-proof and their authenticity can be easily checked.

The e-papers will have a unique identification number and specific value stamp will be generated. Human interface will be reduced and online stamp duty certificates will be generated within minutes across the counter. 

Hindustan times, New Delhi, 07-02-2012