Document sheets: State mum on 'no stock' reply

Only SBM catering to customers, two other banks keep away

 “No stock, try in the nearest branch.” This is the standard reply people get from banks authorised to sell document sheets (previously stamp papers) in Bangalore.

People in need of document sheets are made to run from pillar to post though there are 151 authorised bank branches to sell them across Bangalore. And if any branch has opened the counter, one has to spend at least a couple of hours standing in the long queue to purchase a document sheet.

After banning the use of stamp papers following the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam coming to light, the Government authorised public sector banks of State Bank of Mysore (82 branches), State Bank of India (21 branches) and Corporation Bank (48 branches) to sell document sheets. The Government pays Rs 5 on every document sheet (as printing charge) plus 1 per cent commission for selling every sheet. Bangalore requires an average of 10 lakh document sheets every month.

Why there is shortage in supply of document sheets? “Of the three banks, only SBM is currently doing its job. Almost all branches of SBI and Corporation banks have shut the doors of their counters, leading to heavy rush of people at SBM branches,” an official explained.

Moreover, staff at many SBM branches are also reluctant to take up the responsibility to sell the sheets as they find it a laborious task.

Hence, these branches either delay or do not make an indent for supply of the stock to their head office though there will be great demand for the sheets. “If public question as to why they are not selling the sheets, they (the staff) say there is no stock,” officials said.

According to SBM Assistant General Manager, Government Business department, S Dinakara Kamath, there is no shortage in supply of document sheets.

“SBM is supplying the sheets to all our branches as and when we receive the indent for it. Our bank has been doing the job as per the agreement signed with the Government in this regard,” he said. H S Katti, SBI AGM, Government Business department, said sale of the sheets was stopped for sometime as per the instructions of the Government. “In March 2009, the Government asked us to stop the sale. So, we stopped the printing also. But at the end of March, the Government again came back and asked to sell it till June end.  It requires three months to get the sheets printed. It is not possible to give orders for printing now. But wherever old stock is remaining, we are selling it to people,” he stated.  The Revenue department has, however, turned a blind eye. It has done little to ensure that document sheets are easily made available to people. So much so that the department has not bothered to check whether authorised banks are selling the sheets or not.

When contacted, IGR Stamps and Registration K R Niranjan claimed that there is no short supply of document sheets.  All authorised banks are selling the sheets in their designated branches, he added.

The problem

* SBM, SBI, Corporation banks are authorised to sell document sheets, but only SBM is currently selling

*Bank staff are reluctant to sell as it is a laborious job

* Staff delay making indent to head office for stock supply

Peoplespeak

*    Vijaykumar : I am trying to buy a document sheet for the last three days. Several branches of SBM in the citytold me there was no stock.

*    Jagan: Banks simply make people stand in the queue. If they cannot sell it, why don’t they stop it and make way for others to take it over?

*    Albert:  Though people are inconvenienced, the Government has not bothered to take corrective steps. Why the Government has to authorise banks to sell the sheets?

*   Santosh: I am standing in the queue to buy a document sheet taking half-day leave from work. I am not sure if I will get it today. Banks are taking people for a ride.

Minister inaccessible

Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy remained inaccessible.

Though the system of supplying document sheets has gone haywire, he has not held any meeting so far to ascertain the facts. People will have to put up with the existing system till June, at least.

The Government has plans to extend e-stamping system, which is available only in a few places in Bangalore, from July. The department has directed all authorised banks to sell document sheets only till June end. However, a final decision has not been taken yet.