Based on a study conducted by the author, Maharashtra’s property registration department is the best in the country. Over 9,000 documents are registered each day in the State. In the financial year 2013-2014, the department in Maharashtra earned a revenue of Rs.18, 666 crore (which is four times the revenue generated by the department in many other States).
It is the only State to have introduced the concept of e-registration — all one needs to do is submit the registration document online and an 11 digit token number will be generated. Subsequently, the sub registrar will examine the document and offer his comments (if any) which can be viewed online. Once approved, the registered document receipt and Index II details can be downloaded.
In addition to these facilities, Maharashtra is the only State to have a call centre (8888007777) exclusively for the registration department. Work timings are flexible across the department offices in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban district, Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, and Pune. These offices function from 7am to 2pm and a few offices from 2pm to 9pm.
Moreover, for the benefit of citizens, a few offices in Pune and Panvel work on Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays. They are, however, closed on Thursdays and second and fourth Wednesdays.
The State has also introduced an online token booking system for registration. People can book convenient time slots for registration 30 days in advance.
The other online public friendly measures available are e-search of records (Index II) from the year 1985 onwards, an online public data entry facility, and an e-payment process.
The author is a Chennai-based advocate and an advisor to the Government of Kerala
