Chandigarh: A Rs 5 non-judicial stamp paper can end up costing a Chandigarh resident nearly four times its face value at a Sampark Centre, with Rs 15.97 being added as application and facilitation charges.According to the charge breakup raised by a citizen, a Rs 5 stamp paper attracts an application-form charge of Rs 2.66 and facilitation charges of Rs 13.31, taking the total amount payable to Rs 20.97. The additional charges work out to 319.4% of the stamp-paper value.The citizen has now sought a review of the charges, questioning whether a public service delivery centre can levy charges over and above the value of a stamp paper.“The issue is not merely about the small amount involved but concerns proportionality, transparency and financial accountability. It also questions whether such charges are legally permissible when Sampark Centres are not specifically created for the sale of stamp papers,” said city-based advocate Ajay Jagga.Rule 28(vii) of Punjab Stamp Rules, 1934, as applicable to Chandigarh states that a stamp vendor cannot demand or accept, for any stamp, consideration exceeding the value of the stamp. It also provides for remuneration of stamp vendors through the discount authorised by govt, said Jagga.Jagga has taken up the issue with UT administrator. In his representation he points to Rule 34(iii), which provides for a discount or commission to licensed and specially licensed vendors on the value of non-judicial stamps purchased from an ex-officio vendor.Jagga, who is also a member of the administrator’s advisory council, argued that if the existing rules already provide for remuneration of licensed stamp vendors, the basis for imposing separate application and facilitation charges on a citizen purchasing a Rs 5 stamp paper needs to be clarified.The representation has sought examination of the legality and rationale of the additional charges, particularly in the context of e-governance, where public-service delivery is expected to reduce transaction costs and simplify access to govt services.
