Gurgaon administration wants e-stamping

To lessen the wait and hardship of the people for registering property, the Gurgaon district administration has urged the Haryana government to introduce e-stamping to make things easier, a spokesman said Monday.

Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner P.C. Meena has written to the government in this regard, he said.

In his communication, Meena has requested the state government to introduce e- stamping in Gurgaon and also make provision for regular issuance of stamp papers from Treasury and bank. He pointed out that with tremendous development in district Gurgaon, the stamp duty collection has also increased.

In 2012-13, Gurgaon collected stamp duty worth over Rs.1,250 crore. Out of this amount, 40 percent was deposited in cash in the bank and rest was deposited either by way of cheques or through RTGS.

"As per the present practice, the person making the payment through cheque gets the stamp papers on third day, that too subject to clearance of cheque and if he makes payment through RTGS (electronic transfer through bank), he is able to get the stamp papers on second day, subject to confirmation of money transfer.

"In case of cash deposits also, the applicant is able to get stamp papers on the second day. So, a person needs two to three days simply to pay the stamp duty to the government and in getting the stamp papers," the communication pointed out.

Meena also pointed out that people carrying cash for depositing as stamp duty were vulnerable to criminals and many a time, incidents of snatching or misplacing of cash had taken place in the district.

"E-stamping will help in curbing such incidents. Moreover, Income Tax Act puts bar on cash payment of over Rs.50,000," the communication stated, adding that this will also curb circulation of fake stamp papers.

"Many states have introduced e-stamping system by which the stamp papers can be obtained through internet by paying the stamp duty electronically," it added.

Gurgaon, adjoining national capital New Delhi, has seen tremendous development in the past two decades with scores of MNCs and other top industrial and business establishment setting up their base here. The city and its adjoining areas are also a big hub for software and automobile industry and call centres.