The state capital is facing an acute shortage of non-judicial stamp papers for over two months now, especially of lower denominations (Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50 and Rs 100), making it difficult for people to get legal authorisation of documents and affidavits.

Residents are now either forced to purchase stamp papers from the black market or buy higher denomination stamp papers such as Rs 500, which are readily available with the vendors.

"An affidavit is required to apply for VISA. For this, a non-judicial stamp of Rs 5 is required. But it was not available with 35 vendors in the city and I had to return two of my clients," a civil lawyer at the district court Balkrishna Mahto told The Telegraph.

Non-judicial stamp papers are required for land registration, transfer of property, power of attorney and executing different types of bonds, agreements, affidavits and making declaration besides other non-judicial work.

Another lawyer Jitendra Kumar Singh said black marketing of stamp papers was on the rise in the city and there was nobody to curb the menace.

"Stamp papers of Rs 10 denomination is being sold at Rs 100 but there is no one to put a check on this. Those, who can delay their work, can wait but those who are in hurry are being compelled to purchase non-judicial stamp papers from black market," he added.

Lawyer Amit Kumar said people were even forced to buy higher denomination stamp papers to get their work done.

"A person approached me for affidavit as he had to take a new gas connection. Though stamp papers of Rs 20 denomination would have served the purpose, I had to purchase a stamp of Rs 500 denomination as my client urgently needed the connection," he said.

One of the members of Jharkhand Rajya Mudrank Vikreta Sangh, Amit Kumar, admitted to the problem, saying the district treasury office was not providing the stamp papers for the last two months.

"Due to this, there is a crisis. Once the old stocks will exhaust, vendors will have to completely shut their shops of non-judicial stamp papers," he added.

When contacted, district treasury officer Meera Kumar Gupta said she had already written to I.G. (registration) in this regard.

"I.G. (registration) provides stamp papers to us to supply the same to the vendors. I had written to him some days ago and now waiting for the supply," she said.

Deputy inspector general (registration) V.M. Tripathy said that they were trying to make e-stamps available with the help of stock holding corporation and through banks where stamp papers of all denominations were available.

"We are trying to expedite the processes. But I feel stamp vendors are involved in creating this crisis so that they can sell them at higher prices," he said.

Advocate Sanjay Kumar said banks were not interested in providing low denomination e-stamps.

"They take extra time and avoid people demanding e-stamps of lower denominations," he said.