ICT admin to introduce e-stamping

DC says they intend to digitize all revenue records within two years

ISLAMABAD: To improve the efficiency of collecting stamp duty, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has decided to introduce an e-stamping system in the revenue department. The new system is expected to be implemented in the federal capital from April.

This was disclosed by the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat while addressing a news conference at his office on Sunday. Explaining the system, he said that it will follow the digitized system being used in Punjab where the entire registry of the revenue department is stored in a digital format. In the federal capital, this database will be linked with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

Earlier, Shafqaat that the established practice for transferring ownership of property in the registry of the revenue authority was for both parties involved in the deal to be photographed and to submit signed affidavits.

However, he said that the system still had gaps which allowed for corruption and manipulation of documents.

To curb corruption, Shafqaat said that they have installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all Patwar (revenue) offices in the federal capital. Further, seven additional collectors have been deployed in the federal capital for the first time in the city’s history.

“The activities of all patwar offices will be monitored through a mobile application,” he said, adding that they are also embarking on a project to digitize all revenue records of the ICT administration.

“Details of all property registrations will be visible on computer screens at a single click within a year,” the deputy commissioner said, adding that the revenue department will be completely digitised within two years at a cost of Rs190 million.

The official further that of a total of 0.215 million acres of land in the federal capital, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) maintains an online record of just 17,000 acres while around 17,000 acres are under the occupation of different housing societies.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2020.