The Hindu Business Line : Stamp paper scam: CBI asked to conduct countrywide probe

PURSUANT to the directions of the Allahabad High Court, the Ministry of Finance has requested the CBI to conduct a countrywide investigation on the episode over printing of fake stamp papers. The CBI is at present investigating seven cases related to the fraud.

Meanwhile, it has said that the legal status of the documents registered/prepared on fake stamp paper by unsuspecting public is being examined.

Giving an update on the measures taken by the Centre after the scam was unveiled, the Finance Ministry has said that the Government has taken several measures to prevent the recurrence of such fraudulent printing of stamp papers and revenue stamps.

Based on the recommendations of the working group on stamp papers and suggestions received after consultations with the State representatives and security agencies, a set of additional security features have been approved for introduction in the non-judicial stamp papers (NJSP). It is expected that with the introduction of these security features, it would become very difficult to counterfeit NJSP, the Ministry has said.

It has also said on the basis of intelligence inputs and investigations carried out by security agencies, three officers of India Security Press (ISP), Nashik, have been placed under suspension and disciplinary action against them and other serving as well as retired officers is under way. Certain officers, who were holding sensitive posts but there was no material to prove their involvement, have been transferred to other units.

The Government has two presses namely India Security Press (ISP), Nashik and Security Printing Press (SPP), Hyderabad, which print the requirements of Non-Judicial Paper (NJSP) and Stamps (revenue, court fee, insurance, postal etc.) of the country. The NJSP ranges from denomination of Re 1 to Rs. 25,000 while stamps are in general of lower denomination only.

In view of large seizure of counterfeit NJSP, the Government had constituted a Working Group on NJSP in February 2001 with representatives from Ministry of Finance, printing presses and specialists in the paper field. The Working Group submitted its report in December 2002.

The Centre has also asked States to conduct verification of the stocks of stamp papers of the authorised vendors to prevent entry of fake stamp paper through authorised vendors.

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