Non-judicial stamp papers. Picture by Ajit Kumar Verma

Motihari, Feb. 3: An acute crisis of low-value non-judicial stamp papers in Motihari for nearly six months has become a cause of concern for those seeking service in government and private sectors or in need of a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) connection.

Young job aspirants often require the low-value non-judicial stamps ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 50 for agreement purposes at the time of joining service in railways, banks or in private sectors.

However, because of the ongoing crisis of stamps, they are forced to procure stamps at exorbitant prices from the black market or use the stamps of higher denominations to serve their purposes.

Non-judicial stamps of Rs 20 are required for affidavits for an LPG connection but people have no other option than to procure stamps of Rs 10 for Rs 40, Rs 20 stamp paper for Rs 70 and Rs 50 stamppaper for Rs 80 or even to purchase a non-judicial stamp of much greater denominations to meet their requirements. The crisis is the same for court fee stamps for litigants visiting court everyday. They are left with no other option but to procure stamps of Re 1 and Rs 2 at higher prices in the black market or purchase stamps of bigger values. Stamp vendors at the Motihari civil court said the short supply of stamps in the local treasury was the only reason behind the crisis of stamps in Motihari.

Stamp vendors were of the view that the crisis of non-judicial stamps and court fee stamps was a result of the administration’s slackness and the situation has paved way for the flow of fake stamps in the market.

On the other hand, civil lawyer Ramakant Pandey told The Telegraph: “I agree that there is a short supply of low-value non-judicial and court fee stamps at the government level for the practicing stamp vendors in Motihari court. But if they are available and sold at higher prices on the court premises then what can it be? They are either forged or fake stamps.”

Speaking about the frequent flow of forged court fee stamps, which is used on petition and affidavit papers, Pandey said: “It is unfortunate and ridiculous that the paper which is used on affidavits for the purpose of solemn affirmation is being forged and fabricated.” Following complaints regarding frequent sale of forged court fee stamps on the Motihari court premises, the district administration initiated a magisterial inquiry in the matter with a direction to ascertain genuineness of the stamps with the help of district treasury officer.

Treasury officer Pankaj Kumar also accepted that the shortage of stamps has led to inconvenience for the people. However, he refused that he had received any complaint regarding the sale of non-judicial or court fee stamps at exorbitant prices in the black market.

Meanwhile, when contacted district magistrate of East Champaran, Narmadeshwar Lal said he has been writing to the government regarding adequate supply of stamps.