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Indrani Dutta

Kolkata , Nov. 17

EVEN as investigations into the Telgi scam continue in Maharashtra, efforts are on to explore the possibility of hologramming stamp papers.

According to sources, talks have already been held with some State Governments. Mr Manoj Kochar, Director of hologramming company Holoflex, said, "While talks have begun in this direction," he was not in a position to divulge details at this stage.

The financial sector is believed to have been among the sectors worst affected by the scam, whose magnitude is being estimated at upwards of Rs 3,000 crore. It is hardest hit since all big share transfers, loan agreements and affidavits have to be transacted on stamp paper.

The Union Finance Ministry is contemplating moves to incorporate additional security features on stamp paper. A calendar will also be set for the transition from old papers to new ones, as and when they come into force.

While FMCGs had for long adopted hologramming as a means of protecting their brands from counterfeit, of late government departments too have resorted to hologramming. Various government sports departments have hologrammed tickets, while the West Bengal State Excise Department recently hologrammed country liquor bottles. State pollution control boards, examination boards and many state electoral offices have also opted for the security ring that a hologram throws round a product.

Explaining how hologramming acts as an entry barrier for the counterfeiter, th sources said holograms could not be scanned, photocopied or photographed since they were produced by lasers and not ink.

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