New Delhi: The Government has accepted the recommendations made by a working group on non- judicial stamp papers and a revised non-judicial paper was scheduled to be printed from July 1, next year (2004), the Lok Sabha was informed today (Dec 12, 2003).

Replying to written questions, Minister of State for Finance A V Adsul said the step was taken in view of the large seizures of counterfeit non-judicial stamp papers.

He said the department of revenue was examining legal aspects of documents on fake stamp papers in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): In reply to another question, Adsul said that there was no proposal to phase out the PPF scheme under government's consideration.

Economic reconstruction of Jammu and Karshmir (JK): Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced Rs 6000 crore package for JK, which includes employment, rail and road development, relief and security.

Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS): The scheme is being introduced for the first time for officers (other than development officers) of the non-life public sector insurance companies.

Pan Masala: The Government has detected evasion of excise duty by pan masala manufacturers and the central excise department has so far realised Rs 30 crore this year, he said and added that among the major defaulters was a company, Sanket Foods Private Ltd, at Jalana, whose excise duty evasion was detected at Rs 11.66 crore.

PTI