Shaken out of its stupor by the multi-crore Telgi scam, the government has comprehensively revamped the stamp paper procurement system by institutionalising a number of security features. Henceforth, stamp papers will bear a unique number series and the name of the state which ordered it.But the transition, expectedly, has led to a logistical nightmare as Maharashtra, like other states, grapples with the new booking and payment system for stamps.For starters, the Centre has done away with the practice of taking orders on a quarterly basis, fed up as it was with the casual approach of several states. It has now asked states to place orders for three years with the security press.This is to put an end to the irresponsible practice adopted by most states all this while wherein they would end up placing unrealistic orders for stamp papers without a serious evaluation of their needs. As a result, the security press would be saddled with huge stocks not lifted by the states.In the end, the security press not only had huge inventories but also outstanding bills as states defaulted on payments regularly. Now, states have been asked to make a 30 per cent advance payment, the approximate cost of stamp papers to be supplied in the first year.O.P. Gupta, Maharashtra’s inspector-general for revenue and controller of stamp duty, said these new rules are stringent. ‘‘Moreover, the stamp procurement has to be done from the security press at Nashik or Hyderabad, adding to the logistical problem,’’ he added.While smaller denomination stamps and court fee papers would be supplied by the Hyderabad press, the higher denomination stamps had to be sourced from ISP, Nashik, he added.Also, Gupta said the security press would no longer entertain indents (orders) from treasury officers of individual districts. This means the Pune treasury officer can no longer place orders with the security press at Nashik. His order will now have to be clubbed with the state’s order and routed through the Superintendent of Stamps, Mumbai.Gupta admitted the new system could lead to delays — the compilation of orders, printing (at the two security press) and dispatch to respective districts would take time. ‘‘The overall system is quite foolproof, but fine-tuning will take some time. We have requested the security press to be flexible,’’ he said.However, Gupta felt citizens should not panic as there are enough franking machines all over the state. ‘‘There are almost 250 franking machines all over Maharashtra at sub-registrars’ offices, banks and financial institutions,’’ he added.
