8 AUGUST2025The Uttar Pradesh government has expanded its stamp duty exemption policy to include women buying properties worth up to Rs 1 crore in their name. The new limit, which caps the exemption at Rs 10 lakh, is expected to benefit women in Western Uttar Pradesh. The policy aims to strengthen the Mission Shakti program, encourage women's asset ownership, and promote joint ownership and women-led home purchases, aligning with the Union Budget 2024 push for gender-inclusive property reforms.The government's recent cabinet approval, followed by an official order, has significantly expanded benefits for women property buyers. Under the new provision, a 1 per cent stamp duty exemption will apply to properties such as houses or land purchased in a woman's name, up to a value of Rs 1 crore. This translates to a potential saving of up to Rs 1 lakh.State Labor Minister Anil Rajbhar emphasized that the initiative aims to empower middle-class women by enabling them to own property. He noted that this move not only boosts women's confidence but also enhances their economic independence and social standing. The exemption is expected to further reinforce the objectives of the 'Mission Shakti' program, which focuses on making women self-reliant and empowered. In a historic and dramatic victory for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh captured the FIDE Women's World Cup crown, defeating India's highest-rated player and reigning World Rapid Champion, Koneru Humpy, in the rapid tiebreaks of the final match held in Batumi, Georgia.The 15th-ranked Divya put up a sensational show, beating a number of top seeds on her way to the final. The classical encounters against Koneru resulted in closely contested draws, taking the title match into rapid tiebreaks. In the first of the rapid games, in which Divya had White, the game was a well-balanced draw.In the second game, playing with Black, the 19-year-old remained cool under extreme pressure of time as Humpy, 38, failed to make it in the endgame. Divya exploited the mistakes with accuracy to seal a historic and memorable victory. Through this victory, Divya not only gained the World Cup title, which is much desired, but also earned her final Grandmaster title, becoming the fourth Indian woman and the 88th Indian overall to receive the GM title.Her attack on the board, acute preparation, and mental composure in the most critical situations impressed everyone throughout the championship. Though she was not among pre-tournament favourites, her show in this record-breaking recounts us the growing resolve of the future crop of Indian chess players. Her record-breaking victory is a turning point in the career of Divya and an Indian sports moment of national pride as she makes herself known as a force to be reckoned with within international chess circles. IN FOCUSUTTAR PRADESH OFFERS 1% STAMP DUTY EXEMPTION FOR WOMEN PROPERTY BUYERS19-YEAR-OLD DIVYA DESHMUKH STUNS KONERU HUMPY TO WIN FIDE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP· FIDE Women's World Cup: 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh triumphs in a stunning upset by beating Koneru Humpy in rapid tiebreaks· Secures her last Grandmaster norm, becoming the fourth Indian woman to claim the honorific GM title· Beating an experienced player such as Humpy highlights her global potential and poise· Women Buying Property Worth up to 1 Crore to Get 1 Lakh Stamp Duty Rebate· Stamp Duty Relief for Women a Step Toward Financial Empowerment, says Anil Rajbhar
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