LAHORE: Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)’s flagship project e-Stamping has shown an unprecedented success within 12 months by generating record revenue worth Rs 30.243 billion, after the launch of judicial and non-judicial e-Stamps.
Prior to this project, the old system would fetch Rs 20 to 22 billion proceeds from the sale of stamp papers through a lengthy and time-consuming process.
Till now 1, 246, 600 citizens have visited the e-Stamping website. Total e-Stamp papers that have been issued through this system are 1, 180, 414, out of which 1,102,399 are non-judicial and 78,015 are judicial e-Stamp papers.
PITB Chairman Dr. Umar Saif told that the project has brought historic change through technology in Punjab by replacing a century-old system with an innovative, technology-based system, which raised record proceeds through a citizen friendly system and eliminated fiscal drainage and malpractices of the past.
The outstanding achievement of this project was a proof of trust and confidence reposed by the people through acceptance of the automated service, equally beneficial for the masses and the government at large, he added.
The PITB Chairman said that e-Stamping was a step towards generating revenue through technology in the most transparent manner and to eradicate the chances of financial pilferage through an efficient and accountable system developed under the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
The project has replaced the 117 years old Stamp paper system introduced in 1899 in the Sub Continent during the British colonial rule and saved the common citizen from fraud, forgery, agent mafia and long queues; the project is now operative in 36 districts and 144 tehsils of the Punjab Province, he added.
The authenticity and value of the e-Stamp paper can be verified by sending an SMS to 8100. The information required by the system includes names of the buyer, seller and the person from whom stamps were purchased along with their CNIC. The entered CNIC information is verified online through the NADRA database in real time. After verification, a challan form will be generated based on the provided data.
The challan can be paid at the nearest branch of National Bank or Bank of Punjab. Once the stamp duty fee is paid, the bank will print and hand over the stamp paper on specially designed legal size paper. After the agreement, the stamp paper will be submitted to the concerning authority.
