Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 28: In a significant move to modernize property registration and reduce bureaucratic hurdles, the Centre has unveiled a draft bill aimed at replacing the 117-year-old Registration Act. The proposed legislation introduces digital-first reforms including online registration of property, digital record maintenance, and Aadhaar-based verification — all designed to simplify procedures and curb fraud.
The draft, released by the Department of Land Resources under the Rural Development Ministry, has been opened for public feedback. It comes as several states begin adopting digital registration practices and seek alignment with central reforms. While the Registration Act is nationally applicable, states retain the power to make amendments in consultation with the Centre.
Key changes include mandatory registration of documents such as agreements to sell, powers of attorney, sale certificates, and equitable mortgages. The bill also provides for the issuance of electronic registration certificates and integration of data with other record-keeping bodies to ensure seamless information sharing.
The ministry emphasized the need for a modern framework that reflects evolving socio-economic realities and the growing importance of registered documents in legal and commercial dealings. To ensure fairness, the bill defines objective criteria for when a registration can be lawfully refused, while also allowing governments to cancel registrations under clearly laid-out rules that uphold natural justice.
Additional structural reforms include the creation of new posts like assistant and additional inspectors general of registration and updated guidelines for appointing registrars. Rule-making authority is entrusted to local governments to ensure adaptability within state-specific governance systems.
By digitizing the registration process and introducing stronger safeguards, the draft bill aims to enhance transparency, legal reliability, and ease of doing property-related transactions across India.