By April, citizens in Maharashtra will be able to register land or property documents at any sub-registrar office, regardless of the property’s location, according to a report published by Construction World.
This initiative, part of the “One State, One Registration” scheme, was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and aims to simplify the registration process, according to Ravindra Binwade, Inspector General of Registration and Stamps.
“A resident of Mumbai will no longer need to travel to Pune to execute a sale deed for a property. They can visit their local sub-registrar office instead,” Binwade said, adding that the move is intended to reduce congestion at registration offices and shorten processing times.
The department of registration and stamps is working against the clock to meet the chief minister’s 100-day deadline. Efforts are underway to upgrade hardware and software, with the National Informatics Centre assisting in improving systems. The aim is to enable all 519 sub-registrar offices in Maharashtra to process documents from any location. Binwade provided these updates following a meeting with officials tasked with ensuring the project remains on schedule.
Currently, e-registration for first-sale properties by builders is operational, and plans are in place to extend digital services further to reduce foot traffic at offices. Binwade noted that the department is assessing office utilization patterns, with the possibility of closing underperforming offices. Simultaneously, new offices are planned for districts with inadequate facilities.
The initiative has been welcomed by property experts, who highlighted its potential to save time and eliminate the need for long-distance travel. A member of a real estate brokers’ association remarked that this would also remove the inconvenience of booking hotels for document registration. However, stakeholders emphasized the importance of implementing robust verification measures to prevent misuse.
Meena Kaushik, a Satara resident and property owner in Pune, praised the move, stating it would significantly reduce unnecessary crowding at registration offices. “This initiative is much-needed, but it’s crucial to ensure efficient execution,” she said.
Binwade, who recently succeeded Hiralal Sonawane as IGR, revealed that the department is reviewing existing procedures and regulations to ensure the new system operates smoothly. He emphasized that necessary amendments will be made to eliminate corruption and improve efficiency.
An official noted that the scheme aligns with Chief Minister Fadnavis’s vision of adopting faceless technology for document registration. “This represents a significant step forward in modernizing the revenue department’s processes,” the official stated.
In a parallel development, senior officials from the registration department disclosed that consultations are ongoing regarding ready reckoner rates. Input is being gathered at the district level from stakeholders, with the findings to be submitted to Binwade by the end of February. The consolidated report will then be presented to the state government for final consideration.
The ready reckoner rates, last revised in 2022, could be increased, decreased, or left unchanged depending on the state government’s decision, according to department sources.