Jammu, March 30, 2025- In a significant move aimed at easing property transactions within families, the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a notification to remit stamp duty on property transfers executed through gift deeds among blood relatives, effective April 1, 2025. The announcement aligns with the administration’s commitment to streamline legal processes and promote social equity, resonating with values celebrated during the 453rd Prakash Utsav of Goswami Shri Guru Nabha Dass Ji Maharaj.
The notification, issued by the Finance Department under the powers of the Stamp Act of 1977, fulfills a key promise from the 2025-26 budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month. It exempts stamp duty on gift deeds between close family members—defined as parents, siblings, children, grandparents, and grandchildren—provided both parties submit valid identification proofs. This reform is expected to reduce financial burdens, encourage legal documentation, and minimize inheritance disputes, fostering unity among families.
On the same day, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha attended the Prakash Utsav Guru Nabha Dass Ji celebrations at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu, where he paid obeisance to the revered saint. Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha highlighted the eternal relevance of Guru Nabha Dass Ji’s spiritual teachings, which emphasize honesty, truthfulness, and a virtuous life. “The Guru’s vision of unity and brotherhood aligns with our efforts to strengthen societal bonds,” he said, subtly linking the stamp duty remission to the saint’s ideals of a harmonious community.
LG Manoj Sinha further noted that Guru Nabha Dass Ji’s progressive teachings aimed at creating an ideal society without divisions, a principle mirrored in policies like the stamp duty waiver that promote social equity. “By removing financial barriers to property transfers within families, we are taking a step toward equitable resource sharing and familial solidarity,” he added.
The timing of the notification’s release, coinciding with the Prakash Utsav, underscores the government’s intent to blend administrative reforms with cultural and spiritual values. Devotees and officials present at the event, including MP Shri Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLAs Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal and Dr. Bharat Bhushan, welcomed the move as a practical extension of Guru Nabha Dass Ji’s call for compassion and mutual support.
The stamp duty remission, set to take effect tomorrow, has been hailed as a forward-thinking measure that echoes the Guru’s emphasis on eliminating distinctions and fostering collective upliftment. As J&K prepares for this policy shift, the legacy of Guru Nabha Dass Ji continues to inspire both spiritual reflection and pragmatic governance.