(1) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all duties with which any instrument are chargeable shall be paid, and such payment shall be indicated on such instruments by means of stamps,-
(a) according to the provisions herein contained, or
(b) When no such provision is applicable thereto, as the State Government may, by rule, direct.
(2) the rules made under sub-section (1) may, among other matters, regulate,-
(a) in the case of each kind of instrument the description of stamps which may be used;
(b) in the case of instruments stamped with impressed stamps, the number of stamps which may be used; and
(c) in the case of bills of exchange or promissory notes, the size of the paper on which they are written.
(3) The Inspector General of Stamps may, subject to such conditions as he may deem fit to impose, authorize use of franking machine or any other machine specified by the State Government, for making impressions on instruments chargeable with duties to indicate payment of duties payable on such instruments,
(4) (i) Where the Inspector General of Stamps or the Superintendent of Stamps when authorized by the Inspector General of Stamps in this behalf, is satisfied that having regard to the extent of instruments executed and the duty chargeable thereon, it is necessary in public interest to authorize any person, body or organization to such use of franking machine or any other machine, he may, by order in writing authorize such person, body or organization; and
(ii) Every such authorization shall be subject to such conditions, if any, as the Inspector General of Stamps may, by any general or special order, specify in this behalf. (5) The procedure to regulate the use of franking machine or any other machine as so authorized shall be such as the Inspector General of Stamps may, by order determine.
(6) An impression made under sub-sections (3) (4) and (5), on any instrument, shall have the same effect as if duty of an amount equal to the amount indicated in the impression has been paid, in respect of such instrument by means of stamps, under sub-section (1).
10-A. Certain departments, organisations, institutions etc., to ensure payment of stamp duty.- (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any department of the State Government, institution of Local Self-Government, SemiGovernment organization, banking or nonbanking financial institution or the body owned, controlled or substantially financed by the State Government or any class of them, shall ensure that the proper stamp duty is paid to the State Government through electronic Government Receipt Accounting System (e-GRAS) in respect of such instruments, as may be specified in the notification, passing through their system or related to their functioning of which registration is not compulsory.
(2) The Inspector General of Stamps shall authorise a person nominated by such department or body, etc. as mentioned in sub-section (1) as a proper officer for defacing the challan and making the endorsement on such instruments.
(3) It shall be the duty of the proper officer so authorised under subsection (2) to make an endorsement on the instruments after defacing the challan, as follows:- Stamp duty of Rs._________ paid in *cash/by demand draft/by pay order/ e-Challan vide Receipt/Challan No._________/GRN No._______ CIN____ dated the___________.