Vendors in Balsinor and Khanpur apprehended for overcharging for e-stamps

The administration has apprehended two vendors in Mahisagar district for overcharging ordinary citizens at e-stamping centres. According to an NDTV report, these operators were charging customers ₹110 for a ₹100 e-stamp, thereby making an illegal profit of ₹10 on every stamp.

The entire scam was exposed by Deputy Collector H.T. Makwana. Known for conducting undercover investigations and sting operations to expose administrative lapses, Makwana focused on e-stamping centres this time. He formed a team consisting of a Deputy Mamlatdar and two staff members, who were sent to purchase e-stamps posing as ordinary citizens.

The investigation team visited areas such as Santrampur, Purakdan, and Balsinor. During this probe, it was discovered that Mohammad Rajim Abdulrashid Shekh of Balsinor and Alpeshkumar Muljibhai Patel of Vadgam village in Khanpur subdivision were demanding ₹110 for a ₹100 stamp. According to the district administration, both vendors were illegally pocketing the extra money.

Following the incident, officials conducted an on-site audit of both centres, which revealed serious discrepancies in the records. At the Balsinor centre, the online logs showed 142 stamps, but the physical count yielded only 140 stamps. Additionally, Form-3 documents were missing, registers were not maintained, and no record of the buyers' contact details was kept.

Similarly, at the Vadgam centre in Khanpur, there should have been 66 stamps according to the online count, but there were only 53 stamps in physical stock, resulting in a shortage of 13 stamps. The operators were unable to provide any satisfactory explanation regarding this matter.

Proceedings have been initiated against both operators under Rule 37 of the Gujarat Stamp (Payment of Stamp Duty through e-stamping) Rules, 2014, for these irregularities. There are currently 59 operational e-stamping centres in Mahisagar district. Deputy Collector Makwana stated that such surprise inspections and sting operations will continue throughout the district to ensure compliance with prescribed prices and official rules.