Stamp paper vendors charge exorbitant prices

HYDERABAD: Malpractice is rampant among stamp paper vendors across the city, extending to Medchal and Ranga Reddy, as vendors were charging buyers exorbitant amounts, extending up to around 400 per cent of stamp paper costs in some instances.

Further, it was found that over 40 per cent of the vendors, who have to obtain a licence from the stamps and registration department, had failed to renew their old licences.

In one such instance around 1.30 pm on Monday, a tea stall vendor Kesav said he sought to buy Rs 100 stamp papers for a rental agreement and visited three vendors at the sub-registrar’s office (SRO). He said he was shocked on being asked to pay Rs 350 for the same. But having no recourse, he paid up to buy the same.

The practice was observed at different centres across the city, as vendors deliberately blocked stamp papers on the pretext of renewing their licences but selling them at higher prices.

An official with the stamps and registration department at the Qutbullahpur SRO said there was no shortage of stamp papers and they have issued fresh renewals.

“If anyone is facing issue on shortage of non-judicial stamp papers or any stamp vendor indulging in selling at higher prices, they can reach out to lodge a complaint for taking action,” the official said.

The officials said they will look into allegations raised by the Deccan Chronicle correspondent.

Meanwhile, the details of the majority of vendors are yet to be uploaded on the department’s web portal. As many as 227 and 254 vendors, in Hyderabad and Medchal, respectively, are required to update their details.