Rajasthan government has imposed a 10% cow cess as surcharge on stamp duty payable on all instruments for protection and propagation of cow and its progeny in the state. The surcharge will be applicable on non-judicial instruments.
“In exercise of the powers conferred of the Rajasthan Stamp Act, 1998 and in supersession of this department’s notification, state government hereby orders surcharge at the rate of 10% on stamp duty payable on all instruments for the purposes of conservation and propagation of cow and its progeny,” states the order.
The cow cess will not apply to judicial stamps, revenue ticket and insurance tickets. The surcharge has been imposed on all non-judicial instruments.
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, in her budget speech, had proposed that the surcharge will be used to provide basic infrastructure facilities and protection of cows.
Rajasthan has a dedicated Cow Ministry. Earlier in 2016, the state government had said that it needs at least Rs 200 crore for the protection of its cattle population.
