19 years on, deadlock over revenue stamp sale continues

The Punjab Government has failed to break the deadlock between the Revenue Department and postal authorities over the sale of Re 1 denomination revenue stamps through post offices.

The sale of revenue stamps was stopped in post offices across Punjab since February 2005, on the plea that the commission be hiked from 3 per cent to 6 per cent. However, the Revenue Department refused to accept the demand and wrote to the Centre to intervene, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, the state government has been selling revenue stamps through its treasury offices and has authorised stamp vendors to sell these. However, the residents of far-flung and remote villages complain that they have to spend more money to buy these stamps. The stamp vendors, too, are reluctant to sell these as they receive very less commission. Taking advantage of the stalemate, some people are selling these stamps on the black market.

The CMO had directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue to take action, but still no action has been taken.