PUNE: The state property registration department has implemented a measure to expedite online leave and license registrations, allowing tenant agreements to be processed at any sub-registrar office within a district instead of being confined to specific taluka offices.
The change, part of the One District, One Registration initiative, will take effect on October 2, as announced by officials on Monday.
“This will facilitate faster clearance of tenant registration documents, reducing pendency across the state,” said a senior official following a departmental review.
Previously, residents had to rely on their designated local sub-registrar office, leading to a disparity in workloads—some offices overwhelmed with applications while others barely used. Although clearance was meant to occur within 24 hours, many citizens reported delays extending beyond a week, with some instances lasting a month.
Last year, the department tested this approach in Pune, confirming its effectiveness. “What began as a trial in Pune district has now expanded statewide, aiming for a more balanced distribution of workload among offices,” stated Sachin Shinghavi from the Association of Service Providers.
Citizens expressed frustration over the delays, necessitating tenant agreements for various services such as police verification and utility connections. “Registering my tenant agreement took over 15 days last year. This reform, if effective, will greatly accelerate registrations and help mitigate backlogs,” remarked Pune resident Mohit Marwa.
Officials noted that technical issues at specific offices further contributed to delays. “Offices experiencing heavy workloads often faced more delays, while others had minimal pending files. This reform aims to streamline operations across all 519 sub-registrar offices in the state,” one official explained.
As part of these improvements, additional police stations have been integrated into the online verification system to align tenant registrations with mandatory police checks.
Launch of e-Pramaan in Satara
Residents of Satara can now access certified copies of their property documents without visiting sub-registrar offices. The state’s registration and stamps department introduced e-Pramaan, a digital service that provides digitally signed copies of registered documents, starting September 17 as a pilot program.
Citizens have the ability to view and download property documents dating back to 1985 from home. Officials indicated that this service would enhance convenience, reduce processing time, and improve transparency. The digitally signed documents will be legally valid under the IT Act, 2000, and usable for official proceedings.
“In the past, people spent hours, even days, at sub-registrar offices for certified copies. With e-Pramaan, they can obtain these documents instantly and securely on their devices,” a senior official noted.
The system minimizes paperwork and enhances security through digital signatures. If successful in Satara, the initiative will be gradually expanded across Maharashtra.
