On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal introduced an ‘easy registration’ system aimed at making property registration straightforward and transparent. Mann stated, This is a revolutionary step as individuals will no longer need to visit multiple offices, nor will they have to interact with agents or middlemen, since everything from initiation to completion will be accessible via phone, ensuring a quick, clear, and transparent process.
Following the launch, both leaders announced that citizens can now register at any sub-registrar office within the district, rather than being restricted to the location of the property. In conjunction with the ‘Seva Sahayak’ doorstep services available through helpline 1076, this initiative enhances accessibility for rural families, senior citizens, busy professionals, and individuals with limited mobility. Mann emphasized that the system offers real-time WhatsApp notifications at each stage of the document process, from submission and approval to payment and appointment, ensuring that citizens are always informed of their status.
With the introduction of online document submission, digital pre-scrutiny, and self-scheduled appointments, citizens are no longer subjected to long queues or the need for multiple office visits. Mann noted that a 48-hour pre-scrutiny guarantee and the elimination of waiting times at final registration significantly alleviate stress and reduce waiting periods.
By facilitating online payments through a single gateway, eliminating cash transactions, and implementing a unique WhatsApp corruption reporting system, the platform effectively removes opportunities for unofficial demands from agents. Additionally, by allowing citizens to draft their own deeds and offering affordable doorstep services through ‘Seva Sahayaks’, individuals can avoid the high fees typically charged by private deed writers and middlemen.
Citizens have the option to create their own deeds using the ‘draft my deed’ tool or to receive low-cost assistance at Sewa Kendras or from ‘Seva Sahayaks’. This initiative promotes self-reliance, diminishes dependence on private deed writers, and empowers citizens to take charge of their own transactions, as Mann highlighted.
He asserted that individuals will no longer need to visit banks for payments, stating that the online consolidated payment gateway enables citizens to settle all fees (such as stamp duty and registration fees) in a single digital transaction. This innovation eliminates the necessity for trips to banks and associated costs, such as preparing demand drafts or handling cash, which can lead to security issues. The online portal, equipped with pre-established government rates and a fee calculator, ensures that citizens can effectively plan their expenses, thereby avoiding hidden or unexpected costs and enhancing financial planning without reliance on agents, he noted.
This initiative is based on the principle of ‘Your Property, Your Convenience’ and allows individuals to complete their registration at the nearest and most efficient office. It has been successfully launched in Mohali and will be expanded throughout the state in the near future, Mann stated.
The implementation of this system across the state is scheduled for introduction by July 15. From July 15 to August 1, a trial of this system will take place in every district of the state. Beginning August 1, this system will be fully operational throughout the entire state. Mann mentioned that accountability for the officers has been established, and a robust system of checks and balances has been put in place.
If a sub-registrar raises an objection, citizens will be informed immediately, and all objections will be monitored by senior officials, such as a deputy commissioner. This will help to curb corruption, and if anyone causes an unjust delay in property registration, stringent measures will be enforced, Mann stated. The network of corruption within the ‘tehsils’ has been deeply entrenched and intricate, but this initiative represents a significant step towards its eradication, he added.
