PUNE: The state govt plans to approve additional property registration offices, both in city and rural areas where there are more property transactions, before the code of conduct kicks in for the assembly polls.
The proposal for additional offices was submitted to the state government last week following complaints from citizens regarding dusty and cramped property registration offices. While city areas reporting heavy property transactions will get additional offices, more offices will be set up in rural areas to cater to citizens’ demands. There are 519 property registration offices in the state.
“Offices in city areas registering more than 8,000 property transactions a month may get another office in nearby areas. This will be an additional office for executing property transactions. Similarly, offices recording around 5,000-6,000 monthly transactions in rural areas may get an additional office in the vicinity. We should have more such offices in rural areas,” said a senior revenue official.
Several citizens had raised the issue of poor infrastructure in property registration offices as well as lack of drinking water facilities and even seating arrangements. “While some offices have undertaken renovation work, additional offices will help citizens if there is increased footfall in property registration offices,” said a senior official of the property registration department, which is among the key contributors to the state exchequer.
No discussion on reducing stamp duty. Even as the Centre had urged states to reduce stamp duty to boost the realty sector, the state is unlikely to consider any changes regarding the same.
While developer bodies had submitted a proposal for reducing stamp duty, senior officials said that after discussion it was decided that the current stamp duty would remain the same. “There were suggestions to reduce stamp duty by 2%, but it was not considered,” said an official, adding that the ready reckoner rates, too, have been kept unchanged this year.
