‘E-Stamping contributes Rs60m to economy’

LAHORE: Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Board of Revenue’s joint flagship e-Stamping project has touched all time high figure of Rs 60 billion till today, which is an unprecedented contribution to the national economy through automation of the process, said Dr Umar Saif, founding Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University and PITB Chairman while reviewing the performance of e-Stamping project here on Wednesday.

Total e-Stamp papers (judicial, non judicial) that have been issued through this system are 23, 32,545 out of which 21, 45,384 are non-judicial and 1, 87,161 are judicial e-Stamp papers.

Dr Umar Saif said the project which has replaced 117 years old stamp paper system introduced in 1899 in the Sub Continent during the British colonial rule and brought historic change through technology in Punjab by ensuring transparency and raised record proceeds through a citizen friendly system and eliminating the 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, the government and the country at large, he added. He directed the PITB officials to speed up the process to ensure timely launch of e-Stamp papers less than worth of Rs 1,000, which in volume stands to 5pc of the whole activity. PITB’s e-Stamping team has conducting refresher trainings for Sub Registrars and Revenue Officials in all over the Punjab with an aim to tackle counterfeiting and verification of duties using e-Stamping System, the meeting was informed.

E-Stamping system has saved the common citizen from fraud, forgery, agent mafia, long queues in the treasury office and the banks as the duration of receiving Stamp papers has been reduced from three days to fifteen minutes, which is now operative in the 36 districts and 144 tehsils of Punjab.