PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), DECEMBER 29, 2025

(PAUSA 8, 1947 SAKA)

9705

EXTRAORDINARY

Published by Authority

CHANDIGARH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2025

(PAUSA 8, 1947 SAKA)

( 9705 )

PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SECRETARIAT

NOTIFICATION

The 29th December, 2025

No. 27-PLA-2025/65.- The Indian Stamp (Punjab Second Amendment)

Bill, 2025 is hereby published for general information under the proviso to rule

121 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Punjab Vidhan

Sabha (Punjab Legislative Assembly):-

BILL NO.27-PLA-2025

THE INDIAN STAMP (PUNJAB SECOND AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025

A

BILL

further to amend the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in its application to the

State of Punjab.

BE it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Punjab in the

Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows: -

1.

(1)

This Act may be called the Indian Stamp (Punjab Second

Amendment) Act, 2025.

(2)

It shall come into force on and with effect from the date of its

publication in the Official Gazette.

Short title and

Commencement

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), DECEMBER 29, 2025

(PAUSA 8, 1947 SAKA)

9706

2.

In the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in its application to the State of

Punjab, in Schedule 1-A, in entry 6,-

(i) under the column, captioned as "Proper Stamp-duty", for the existing

Stamp-duty, the following shall be substituted, namely:-

“0.25 per cent of the loan

amount credited or an existing

or future debts, subject to a

maximum of five lakh rupees.”;

and

(ii) in the existing proviso, at the end, for the words and sign "additional

amount." the words and sign "additional amount:" shall be substituted

and thereafter, the following proviso shall be added, namely:-

"Provided further that where more than one instrument is

executed under this entry in respect of the same loan, Stamp-duty

shall be chargeable on total loan amount covering all such instruments

so long as no additional loan amount is secured by any such

instrument(s)."

Amendment of

Schedule 1-A of

Central Act 2 of

1899.

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), DECEMBER 29, 2025

(PAUSA 8, 1947 SAKA)

9707

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The Indian Stamp Act, 1899 was enacted to provide for the levy and collection

of stamp duty by the State Government. The Act contains provisions for the

effective administration of stamp duty on various instruments executed within

the State.

In order to make Punjab a more industry-friendly State and to rationalize duty

under Entry 6 of Schedule 1-A of Indian Stamp Act, 1899, it has been considered

necessary to streamline the existing framework. The proposed amendment

seeks to rationalize the levy of duty on instruments relating to deposit of title

deeds, hypothecation and equitable mortgage, thereby improving ease of doing

business in the State.

At present, separate stamp duty is chargeable on equitable mortgage and on

hypothecation for the same loan transaction, which results in duplication of

levy and increases the financial burden on borrowers. The amendment seeks

to remove this anomaly by prescribing a single levy of stamp duty at a uniform

rate on the total loan amount, subject to a reasonable upper cap, and by ensuring

that duty is charged once on the total loan amount no additional stamp duty is

charged on additional instruments executed in relation to the same loan, where

no additional debt is created.

The proposed reform will reduce transaction costs, facilitate smoother credit

operations, particularly for MSMEs, and contribute towards creating a more

enabling business environment in the State.

To give effect to the above objectives, it is proposed to amend the Indian

Stamp Act, 1899.

HARDIP SINGH MUNDIAN,

Revenue, Rehabilitation &

Disaster Management

Minister, Punjab.

PUNJAB GOVT. GAZ. (EXTRA), DECEMBER 29, 2025

(PAUSA 8, 1947 SAKA)

9708

FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM

The Bill seeks to amend Entry 6 of Schedule 1-A of the Indian Stamp Act,

1899 with a view to rationalizing the levy of stamp duty on instruments relating

to deposit of title deeds, hypothecation and equitable mortgage. The proposed

amendment aims to enhance the ease of doing business in the State by

eliminating the duplication of stamp duty on the same loan transaction and by

prescribing a single, capped levy on the total loan amount. This measure will

simplify compliance, reduce transaction costs, and facilitate smoother access

to credit for businesses, particularly MSMEs, thereby supporting industrial

development and economic growth in the State.

The amendment is expected to result in a reduction of annual stamp duty

receipts from these instruments. However, as the Bill does not envisage any

provision that would result in recurring or non-recurring expenditure from the

Consolidated Fund of the State, the enactment of this Bill will not entail any

direct financial implications for the State Government.

____________

The Governor has, in pursuance of clause (1) and (3) of Article 207 of

the Constitution of India, recommended to the Punjab Legislative Assembly,

the introduction and consideration of the Bill.

____________

CHANDIGARH

R.L. KHATANA,

THE 29TH DECEMBER, 2025

SECRETARY.

3595/12-2025/Pb. Govt. Press, S.A.S. Nagar