Govt hikes stamp duty for outsiders buying land in Himachal
The Himachal cabinet approved a 12% uniform rate for non-residents and aims to boost revenue
3 min read
Currently, non-residents buying land in Himachal with state government permission pay stamp duty ranging from 6% to 8%. (File Photo/ Representational)The Himachal Pradesh cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has decided to amend Schedule 1 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, increasing the stamp duty to a uniform 12% for people from other states purchasing or leasing land in the state under Section 118(2)(h) of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972.
Currently, non-residents buying land in Himachal with state government permission pay stamp duty ranging from 6% to 8%. The new rate aims to generate significant revenue for the state, according to Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi.
Negi said, “With this amendment, non-residents purchasing land for industries, hotels, or residential units will pay a 12% stamp duty. This will not affect Himachal Pradesh’s bona fide residents.” He added that the cabinet has decided to promulgate an ordinance to formalise the amendment.
Other key cabinet decisions
• Tree felling ban: The cabinet approved a ban on tree felling except for Safeda, Poplar, Bamboo, and Khair, with the latter allowed under a 10-year programme.
• ‘Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar’ programme: Guidelines for this initiative were approved to address grievances of residents in remote and difficult areas.
• Kishau Multipurpose Project funding: The cabinet reiterated its request to the Centre to adopt a 90:10 funding formula for the power component, similar to the water component, or provide a 50-year interest-free loan for the state’s share.
• Energy projects: The mandate for allotting and monitoring hydro, solar, and other green energy projects above 5 MW has been delegated to the Department of Energy. A 1 MW Green Hydrogen project in Nalagarh was also approved, along with Green Energy Development Charges for pumped storage projects.
Administrative changes
• Legacy case resolution: The Himachal Pradesh Sadbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme 2025 was approved to resolve pending cases under VAT, CST, and entry tax.
• Green Area initiative: The area around Tara Devi Temple in Shimla district has been declared a green belt to protect the environment.
• New tehsils and offices: Sub Tehsil Panchrukhi in Kangra district was upgraded to a full tehsil. New sub-tehsils will be created in Dhamwari (Shimla), Saho (Chamba), and Chachiyan (Kangra). The Block Primary Education Office Rohnat was also approved by bifurcating the Shilai office in Sirmaur district.
The cabinet also transferred three gram panchayats—Matyal, Kudal, and Dhadol—from Lambagaon Block to Baijnath Block in Kangra district. It approved the establishment of the Himachal Pradesh State Water Informatics Centre to centralise water-related data and declared the Rathal Jatar Mela in Bhaular (Shimla) a district-level fair.
Finally, the cabinet approved the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority Land Pooling Policy-2025 and decided to fill 10 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) for the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission.
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