Assam E-Stamp Vendors Threaten Protests Over Pay and Fees

Guwahati: E-stamp vendors across Assam are fed up. The All Assam E-Stamp Vendors Association met in Morigaon to address plummeting pay and systemic harassment. Roughly 1,000 vendors claim their livelihoods are under threat.

Vendors previously banked a 7 percent commission on every 100 rupee stamp in the offline era. Under the Digital India online transition, that take dropped to just 15 paise per 100 rupees. The association points the finger at Stock Holding Private Limited. The intermediary supposedly charges vendors 3 rupees for every sheet of paper used for printing.

The group also flags unauthorized costs. Customers are reportedly being hit with a 10 rupee fee per document. Association leadership says the state owes them relief. The government promised a one-time payment of 1 lakh rupees per vendor but the money never arrived. Association members insist that "vendors have been facing these problems for a long time" and demand immediate action.

The clock is ticking. Vendors warned that if the state fails to fix these issues, a statewide agitation is coming soon.