Punjab Cabinet okays implementation of e-stamping system

Punjab Cabinet today gave nod to the draft of Punjab e-stamp Rules-2014 for the implementation of e-stamping system to ensure far more efficiency and transparency in the revenue collection of the state.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here this evening.
E-stamping would eliminate purchase of stamp papers and would ensure transparency, faster collection of registration fee and would guard against embezzlement,an official release here said.
The Cabinet also gave approval to free Right of Way to BSNL for connecting state government offices at District/ Sub Division/ Block/ Tehsil/ Sub Tehsil level to State Wide Area Network established by Department of Governance Reforms under E-district Project, a State Mission Mode Project as a part of National E-Governance Plan.

Fourty-seven key citizen centric services including birth/ death certificates, pension services, ration card services, marriage, caste and residence certificates, RTI and Grievances have been selected under the project.
This e-district project has already been successfully implemented in Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar districts as pilot project and now this project would be implemented in remaining 20 districts across the state within six months, the release said.

The Cabinet also gave approval to include the words 'Blockade of Rail or Road Traffic' in part 2 (C) of 'The Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Bill-2014' defining "damaging act".

In the recent past there had been many incidents of violent demonstrations, agitations and damage to public and private property in the state.
The bill provides for punishment up to one year and fine of Rs 1 lakh to those who damage public or private property through agitation, strike, bandh and blockade of Rail or Road traffic.
If the damage was done by making use of explosives then the punishment would be up to two years and fine of Rs 1 lakh.
This amendment would not act as a deterrent for the miscreants to participate in such agitations and demonstrations and cause damage to public and private property, but also help to recover from them the damages on this count it said.