A brewing scandal has emerged as the Department of Registration & Stamps turns its attention to private companies operating mobile towers across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the surrounding rural areas. Revelations indicate that these companies have been sidestepping their stamp duty obligations for the mobile towers situated on privately-owned land, raising significant concerns about revenue losses. As a response to this alarming situation, the department has swung into action, issuing notices to more than 100 tower operators with the aim of reclaiming the unpaid stamp duty accrued over the past decade.
Stamp Duty Evasion Unearthed:
Within the Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and rural regions, over a thousand mobile towers operated by private companies have been identified. In-depth investigations have unveiled that these companies employed methods to evade their stamp duty obligations by erecting towers on privately-owned land. Even more alarming is the revelation that these entities orchestrated internal agreements with landowners to bypass the required stamp duty payments. Pune City’s Stamp Collector, Santosh Hingane, has taken a strong stance against these practices and is committed to rectifying this situation.
Government Takes Action:
The Department of Registration & Stamps has already issued notices to numerous companies that have been delinquent in their stamp duty payments, aiming to recover the outstanding revenues. Official letters have been dispatched to the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, urging them to enforce proper stamp duty regulations for future mobile tower constructions within their jurisdictions. Furthermore, the department is in the process of identifying additional mobile tower operators who may have evaded their financial responsibilities.
Stamp Collector’s Resolution:
Stamp Collector Santosh Hingane emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “To date, 100 tower owners have received notices for evading stamp duty on the mobile towers in the city. Notices will be dispatched to all mobile tower holders. Through this effort, the government aims to recover the lost revenue, amounting to a projected ten to twenty crores.”
