PESHAWAR: In another landmark initiative towards digitization of basic services to ensure merit and transparency, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Wednesday formally launched the issuance of E-Stamp Paper in the province.
With launch of E-Stamp paper, the KP government has achieved another millstone, which will not only ensure easy access to basic services but will also prove an important step towards preventing land disputes, forgery of documents and issuance of back dated stamp papers. The initiative will also help in the determination of actual costs of land, minimize administrative costs of printing stamp paper, increase the provincial revenue generation by Rs500 million annually and minimize discretion of officials, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability.
According to details, nine visible and invisible features have been incorporated into the e-stamp papers, whereas a central database will also be maintained to simplify the verification process, which can be carried out online by consumers. Initially, stamp papers of denomination between Rs1000-25,000 will be made available online on www.estamp.kp.gov.pk for which necessary amendments have been incorporated in the Stamp Act, 1899 to give it legal cover. Additionally, the pilot phase has already been started from District Nowshera, whereas phase-wise roll out to division-wise districts will be started within one month of the pilot phase followed by extension to the entire province by the end of the ongoing fiscal year.
Addressing the launching ceremony, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said that the provincial government has been working to ensure provision of basic facilities to its citizens at their doorsteps, which is evident from multiple steps taken so far in this regard. He clarified that digitization of services and introduction of e-governance has not only guaranteed ease in access to government services but has also ensured upholding of merit, greater transparency and accountability. He maintained that the provincial government has taken pragmatic steps towards the establishment of a welfare government, and for that purpose, reforms have been introduced in every department to bring it at par with contemporary needs. Introduction of E-tendering, E- bidding, and E-payment have been completed whereas E-billing, E-summary and E-cabinet are in the process of finalization, which will surely transform the governance landscape of the province.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Revenue and Estate Taj Muhammad Tarand and Senior Member Board of Revenue Zakir Hussain Afridi also addressed the launching ceremony, while Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Secretary Information Arshad Khan, Secretary Finance Ikram Ullah Khan, high-ups of the departments concerned and representatives of stakeholder organizations attended the ceremony.
