Team Herald
MARGAO: A government initiative to implement e-stamping faced an unexpected setback on its first day at the Margao Sub-Registrar office, as the system reportedly went down, causing significant disruption and delays.
The e-stamping system, announced by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, was introduced to streamline stamp duty payments for various legal documents. The initiative aims to replace traditional stamp papers with a secure digital alternative, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of tampering.
However, on its first day of operation, the system encountered technical difficulties, leaving both office staff and the public frustrated.
The Chief Minister had stated that e-stamping would be mandatory for all transactions exceeding
Rs 9,999 in Goa from April 1 onwards. Non-judicial stamp papers, franking, and stamp duty via challan would no longer be accepted for such amounts. Despite this, several people who arrived to complete their documentation found themselves unable to proceed due to the system failure.
Suraj Vernekar, an officer at the Sub-Registrar office, confirmed that the technical issue was unexpected and that efforts were being made to restore the system. However, the downtime led to a backlog, forcing many applicants to leave without completing their tasks.
Applicants expressed disappointment, with some criticising the lack of proper testing before the system’s launch. The failure on the very first day raised concerns about the system’s readiness and reliability, potentially undermining public trust despite its intended benefits.
Suganda Keni voiced frustration, saying, “It was the government’s duty to ensure the system was fully functional before launching it. This has caused unnecessary trouble for the public.” A foreign national scheduled to leave Goa the same evening also expressed frustration. “I may have to cancel my flight if the system isn’t restored. I was assured my e-stamping application would be processed today, but I’ve been waiting since morning with no sign of progress,” he said, requesting anonymity.