Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to enhance transparency and digitization with a new cashless and largely paperless land and property registration system throughout the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the initiative, aimed at reducing corruption, eliminating middlemen, and streamlining the registration process for citizens.
During a high-level review meeting led by Minister Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan, plans were laid out to revamp the current registration process. Buyers and sellers will conduct initial applications and paperwork entirely online after reaching a private agreement. A visit to the sub-registrar’s office will only be necessary for the final steps, including identity verification, biometric checks, and the signing of the sale deed. Registered deeds will be accessible digitally, removing the lengthy wait for physical copies.
A significant aspect of this initiative is the transition to entirely digital payments. The government has eliminated the previous provision that allowed cash transactions of up to Rs 15,000 for registration fees. Henceforth, all payments, including fees and stamp duties, must be processed through digital channels, ensuring complete financial transparency.
“We will make the land transaction process entirely cashless. There will be absolutely no cash transactions involved, and people will no longer have to wait for their deeds. Everything will be processed online. This step is being taken to eliminate the influence of middlemen and to make the registration offices completely corruption-free. An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding this is currently being drafted and will be issued very soon,” the Minister stated.
Applicants will submit necessary documents online, such as identity proofs, property details, Encumbrance Certificates (EC), and other pertinent records. The system will also incorporate digital verification processes, enabling registration documents to be verified by any registration office statewide for increased impartiality. Only registered deed writers or attorneys will be allowed to prepare and submit documents, with their information required in the online applications. Additionally, stamp vendors and others involved must register with the department.
In a related user-friendly move, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has made Aadhaar authentication optional for property registration and various land services. Citizens can opt to use one of four alternative identity documents: Voter ID, PAN card, Driving Licence, or Passport.
The announcement, made under the directive of Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arvind Padhee, stresses that no service will be denied due to the lack of Aadhaar. This includes essential processes like creating new Property IDs, conducting mutations, changing land classifications, boundary demarcation, partitions, and issuing certificates. Voluntary Aadhaar-based e-KYC will still be available for those who prefer quicker, paperless verification via OTP or biometrics to enhance transparency and prevent fraud.
These reforms align with Supreme Court guidelines regarding Aadhaar usage and aim to decrease paperwork, reduce delays, limit fraudulent activities, and improve the overall ease of conducting business in land transactions.
