Punjab Stamp Duty Waiver: Thrust Sectors

Under Clause 12.9 of the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022, Punjab grants a full waiver of stamp duty to units that locate in the State's notified thrust sectors. The benefit — a 100% exemption or reimbursement of stamp duty on land and building acquired by purchase or by lease for the project — is available to MSMEs and large units alike.

Stamp duty becomes payable at the time of registration, which falls before the project generates any revenue. Waiving it therefore reduces the cash a promoter must arrange at the most cash-strained stage of the project timeline.

The relief applies on the same terms whether the unit purchases its plot or holds it on lease.

1. Verify that the project is covered by a notified Thrust Sector, then obtain eligibility approval under the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022. 2. Where feasible, submit the stamp duty exemption application before the sale or lease deed is executed. 3. Lodge the application on the Invest Punjab Business First portal, attaching the draft deed, project approval and land particulars. 4. In cases where duty has already been paid, submit a reimbursement claim together with the stamped instrument and treasury challan. 5. Following verification, the department either issues the exemption certificate or sanctions the refund.

The department carries out a verification exercise before granting relief. It checks whether the applicant falls within a thrust sector, and whether the instrument in question pertains to project land or a building. Once these two conditions are satisfied, the department either issues the exemption or sanctions the refund.

Applications are handled on a non-competitive basis, meaning there is no ranking or shortlisting against other applicants.