(1)When an instrument brought to the Collector under section 31, is in his opinion, one of a description chargeable with duty, and(a)the Collector determines, that it is already fully stamped, or(b)the duty determined by the Collector under section 31, or such a sum as, with duty already paid in respect of the instrument, is equal to the duty so determined, has been paid the Collector shall certify by endorsement on such instrument that the full duty (stating the amount) with which it is chargeable has been paid.(2)When such instrument is, in his opinion, not chargeable with duty, the Collector shall certify in manner aforesaid that such instrument is not so chargeable.(3)Any instrument upon which an endorsement has been made under this section shall be deemed to be duly stamped or not chargeable with duty, as the case may be, and if chargeable with duty, shall be receivable in evidence or otherwise, and may be acted upon and registered as if it had been originally duly stamped : Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise the Collector to endorse-(a)any instrument executed or first executed in India and brought to him after the expiration of one month from the date of its execution, or first execution, as the case may be;(b)any instrument executed or first executed out of India and brought to him after the expiration of three months after it has been first received in the State; or(c)any instrument chargeable with the duty of [twenty paise] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1969] or less than [twenty paise] [Substituted by Act 29 of 1969] when brought to him, after the execution thereof on paper not duly stamped.
