Fake stamps

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PortBlair, Oct 12 (UNI) Fake stamps, widely available in Indian markets, are haunting Philatelic collectors, especially budding stamp collectors, experts believe.

''Fake stamps are easily available in markets, which are printed in foreign countries and are sent to India for sale commercially.

These stamps, though collected by many, often do not provide correct information,'' said Shekhar Chakroborty, a renowned Philatelist and Vexillologist (Flag collector) of India.

Mr Chakroborty, while addressing a seminar here today, said that compared to a few other countries, fake stamps are found less in India but still the present circulation is misleading many budding Philatelists with incorrect information.

''Germany tops the chart for producing and having fake stamps,'' the expert added.

The Seminar on Philately, for promotion of the hobby of stamp collection among students, organised as a part of District Level Philately Exhibition ANPEX-2006, in these remote Indian islands by India Post, witnessed huge enthusiasm among participants.

The Philatelist added that in India there was no foolproof mechanism to deal with the situation while the best way was to consult a Philatelic expert or refer to any Postage Stamp Catalogue being published by many countries.

However, India Post authority said that it had no role in the circulation of fake stamps as it was being done by some private parties, that too of some other countries.

"As far as India is concerned no Indian fake stamps are available in market, its only foreign fake stamps that are sold commercially," clarified G Madhumita Das, Director of Andaman and Nicobar Postal Department.

Mrs Das said India Post was trying to encourage students to develop stamp collection as their hobby, which helps in enriching the knowledge and overall development of students.

Mr Chakroborty advised budding stamp collectors to be careful before purchasing any stamp from private shops.

The postal department is the second largest department in Andaman and Nicobar islands, spreading its post offices and units almost in all the 38 inhabited islands. India Post is presently organising a District Level Philately Exhibition ANPEX-2006, in Port Blair, the capital city of Andamans.