People forced to buy 500 rupees stamp paper instead of 100 rupees one; two years since printing order was placed

MALAPPURAM: There is a severe shortage of Rs 100 stamp paper in the state as no printing order has been issued for two years. The needy are forced to buy the Rs.500 stamp paper instead. This creates additional liability for common people. People have to rely on 1000 rupees stamp paper if there is a shortage of 500 rupees stamp paper. The reason behind the crisis is the non-delivery of printing orders for stamp papers to the Security Press in Nashik, Maharashtra, after 2021 as part of the implementation of e-stamping in the state.

100 rupees stamp paper is most in demand. Birth and death certificates, marriage registration, school certificates, affidavits, bank loans, various contracts, consent forms and passports require Rs 100 stamp paper. As it is not available, the needy are forced to buy stamp paper of higher charges.

It was announced that e-stamping would be implemented fully from April 2022, but the deadline was later extended to March 2024. Currently, e-stamping is for transactions above one lakh. The government has decided to make e-stamping mandatory even for treasury transactions of Rs.50. The aim is to prevent fake stamp paper.

Revaluation also slowing down

Two weeks ago, the government issued an order to increase the value of stamp papers worth Rs 5, 10 and 20 to Rs 100 and stamp papers of Rs 50 to Rs 500. The Director of Treasury should make a special seal for this purpose and issue it to the Central Stamp Depot authorities. The reason for the shortage is that it has not yet been made available.

'The problem will be solved with the revaluation of stamp papers of small value.'

R Deepa

Superintendent, Central Stamp Depot,

Thiruvananthapuram