Bill to reduce stamp duty for women introduced in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal government on Wednesday introduced a bill which provides reduced stamp duty for women in the state, a move seen to encourage registration of land in the name of women.

Himachal Revenue minister Kaul Singh Thakur introduced the Indian Stamp Himachal Pradesh (Amendment) Bill 2013 in the Assembly seeking to amend clause 23 of Indian Stamp Act 1899 to provide for reduced stamp duty for women.

The Bill seeks to reduce the stamp duty for women from 5% to 4% and from 5% to 6% for men.

Another bill, seeking to curtail the powers of Commandant General Home Guards to make recruitments was also introduced by the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

The bill  Entitled as HP Home Guards (amendment) bill, makes it mandatory for the CG Home Guards, Himachal, to seek prior approval from the government while making any recruitments.

While there was a opposition from the BJP, including former Chief Minister P K Dhumal, the bill was later passed by a voice vote.