Kerala High Court Directs State To Complete Revalidation Of ₹20 Stamp Papers Within Three Weeks

The Court also directed the government to make a decision regarding the procurement of six lakh stamp papers of rupees 50 denomination within a period of three weeks which are already printed and stored at the Nasik Central Security Press.

The Division Bench comprising Justice Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu passed the above order while considering a plea filed by a lawyer stating that there non availability of stamp papers of smaller denominations.

“If that be the case, there shall be a direction to complete the re-validation process of stamp papers of face- value of Rs.20/- which remain in the treasury within a period of three weeks. Similarly, the Government shall also take a decision in regard to the procurement of six Lakh stamp papers with a face-value of Rs.50/- within a period of three weeks.”

The plea was filed alleging that there is an acute shortage of stamp papers of smaller denominations and people are forced to buy stamp papers of higher denominations. The plea also stated that the unavailability of stamp papers violates the right of the public to access government services to make legal documents and also adds a great financial burden on them.

Based on the written instructions filed by the Government Pleader, the Court noted that 12,22,679 stamp papers in the denomination of rupees 20 is remaining in the treasury for re-validation and distribution to vendors. It was thus submitted that stamp papers with the denomination of rupees 20 will be ready for public use by the end of this month.

The Government Pleader also submitted before the Court that if there is a shortage of stamps in any area, then the Treasury Department will immediately address this shortage by delivering stamps from other districts with sufficient stock.

Counsel for Petitioner: Advocates M.G.Sreejith, Vidyajith M., Rojin Devassy, Bincy Jose

Counsel for Respondents: Senior Government Pleader Tyek Chand V

Case Number: WP(C) NO. 28547 OF 2024

Case Title: Jyothish P v State of Kerala

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 602

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