Now, pay stamp duty in Maharashtra through regular methods again

MUMBAI: Homebuyers in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra can now pay stamp duty and registration charges through conventional methods, including demand draft and pay order, following the withdrawal of a circular issued in December 2013 that mandated payment of these levies only through the e-payment system called Government Receipt Accounting System (GRAS).

The Assistant Government Pleader, representing the Maharashtra government, has withdrawn the circular which had resulted in inconvenience to many homebuyers, especially those from the low-income group or residing in rural areas. The information has come to the fore through a public interest litigation filed last year by a consultant, AD Nerurkar, challenging the new mode of payment. Earlier this month, the state government withdrew the circular that was challenged through the PIL.

Therefore, the Bombay High Court has disposed of the PIL.

“Rather than simplifying the process, this directive had made stamp duty payment relatively complicated work and the same had resulted in so-called agents taking advantage of the system to make money . Now, with the withdrawal of earlier directive, people can pay with whatever route, including pay order or demand draft, they are comfortable with,“ Nerurkar told ET.

The state government had adopted GRAS, which was put in place by the finance department, particularly for departments dealing with tax collection. There are 13 departments in all, including Inspector General of Registration that collect taxes through this route. The authorities were accepting only online payment even as it was mentioned in GRAS that this system was being introduced along with conventional methods.