PUNE: The “one state one registration” initiative, which aims to allow citizens to register property documents at any sub-registrar office in the state, is expected to encounter delays due to various legal, technical, and administrative challenges, according to senior officials.
Ravindra Binwade, the inspector general of registration, informed TOI that while the concept is sound, several issues are still under evaluation. “The implementation of the one state one registration scheme might take longer than anticipated, as we need to address aspects such as jurisdiction in fraud cases and document verification,” he stated.
This initiative is part of the state government’s 100-day priority program, aimed at removing jurisdictional barriers and enhancing the ease of document registration for citizens. However, there are ongoing concerns about impersonation, fraudulent land transfers involving deceased individuals, and significant stamp duty evasion that pose major challenges to its rollout.
Previously, Revenue Minister Chandrakant Bawankule indicated that the scheme would be launched during the current assembly session. However, senior officials from the mantralaya clarified on Monday that the existing “one district one registration” scheme will remain in effect for the time being.
“There are practical and logistical issues to consider. We need to address stakeholders’ concerns before proceeding. Therefore, the state-wide implementation has been temporarily paused,” a senior revenue official mentioned.
The “one district one registration” scheme, launched on May 1, allows document registration at any sub-registrar office within a district. The scheme has successfully processed numerous documents, showcasing its operational feasibility. Nonetheless, officials noted that extending this system statewide presents complex challenges related to monitoring, fraud prevention, and infrastructure readiness.
Revenue officials reported a significant rise in impersonation and fraudulent transactions, with some sale deeds registered under the names of deceased individuals or without the consent of co-owners in joint properties.
Activists have raised alarms that farmers, especially near large upcoming projects, are being tricked into selling their land through forged documents or misuse of power of attorney.
RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar stated, “There is currently no mechanism to cancel fraudulent registrations, which forces genuine owners—especially seniors and farmers—into extended legal struggles. The rollout of the scheme should not proceed without necessary safeguards, including the establishment of a dedicated cancellation authority and a searchable online registry by name, PAN, or Aadhaar.”
The state is also missing out on revenue from underpayment of stamp duty and non-compliance with MahaRERA in many property dealings. Officials noted that illiterate or less-educated sellers are often exploited in opaque transactions.
To combat these issues, the revenue department has issued stringent guidelines, cautioning sub-registrars against permitting impersonation or unauthorized registration of tribal land. Violations may result in actions under Sections 82 and 83 of the Registration Act.
District joint registrars (Class I) and stamp collectors have been instructed to conduct inspections of registration offices every two weeks and to submit detailed compliance reports.
