Karnataka launches Digital e-Stamp system to make document stamping fully online
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday announced the rollout of the Digital e-Stamp (DeS) system aimed at strengthening efficiency, transparency and security in document stamping.
The system will allow citizens to generate stamp papers online without relying on any agent or intermediary, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said.
He said the entire stamping process is fully digital, supporting a paperless governance environment. Citizens can generate their Digital e-Stamp from home, with the service available 24×7 across the country, removing geographical limitations.
Stamp papers are used for various transactions such as the sale of properties, rental agreements and affidavits.
"As Karnataka moves toward complete digital registration, it has become essential to eliminate vulnerabilities by adopting a fully digital stamping system. Accordingly, the Government of Karnataka has introduced the Digital e-Stamp (DeS) system to strengthen efficiency, transparency and security in document stamping," Gowda said in a release.
The necessary rules have been notified, and the system has completed a successful soft launch, he said, adding that the government will soon mandate the use of Digital e-Stamps across the state.
Earlier, physical stamp papers were printed at the Nashik Security Press and supplied through licensed vendors.
However, after the Telgi scam—which exposed large-scale fraud involving counterfeit and reused stamp papers—the state discontinued physical stamp papers and introduced alternative mechanisms to ensure security and transparency.
Subsequently, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL) was appointed to issue e-stamp papers across the state, but challenges such as duplicates, misclassification and stamp duty evasion persisted, the minister noted.
According to Gowda, citizens can now generate Digital e-Stamps on their own from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
All payments are made through approved digital methods, ensuring safe and secure transactions.
He said the stamp content becomes part of the document itself, preventing misuse and ensuring authenticity. Documents can be digitally signed using Aadhaar-based eSign or DSC (if Aadhaar is unavailable), allowing complete digital execution.
The Digital e-Stamp system also benefits the department through enhanced security features, seamless system integration, elimination of irregularities, improved revenue assurance, cost savings and greater transparency and administrative efficiency.
Calling it a paperless and eco-friendly ecosystem, the minister said the digital system reduces dependency on physical stamp papers, promotes sustainability and lowers environmental footprint.
All digitally stamped documents are stored securely in electronic form and are legally recognised, eliminating the need for physical storage and preventing loss, damage or misuse of original documents, he added.
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Russian military hardware, spare parts for Indian military to be manufactured in India
New Delhi (PTI): Russia agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of military hardware and spare parts for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment.
Ways to bolster overall bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting the maintenance of military systems procured from that country.
"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.
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It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.
In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.
In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.
In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.
Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said.
They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, it said.
India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
