Private entities to run 60 property registration centres; Pune, Mumbai to have facilities in first phase

Pune: The state govt will roll out 60 property registration offices across Maharashtra, which will be operated by private institutions, in a bid to ease the process, improve efficiency and cut waiting time — albeit at an additional cost to people, officials told TOI on Friday.The proposed facilities, modelled on passport service centres, will function alongside the existing 517 govt-run sub-registrar offices. Officials said the proposal was cleared by the revenue department last year and would be implemented in phases.
In the first phase, five centres will be launched in Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nagpur. "We expect to open them in the next six months. Tenders are being finalised to appoint the private institutions that will run these centres," said Abhay Mohite, deputy inspector general (IT), registration department.While the private agency will provide infrastructure and support staff, govt officials will continue to carry out the actual registration process. "All facilities will be provided by the private institution, but the registration work will be done by state govt employees," Mohite said.The centres are expected to charge an additional service fee of up to Rs 6,000 per document over and above the existing govt registration charges. Officials said the agency has been asked to cap the facility charge at Rs 6,000. The final fee structure will be notified after the implementing agency is appointed.The second phase, likely within nine months of the first rollout, will see 25 more centres in Mumbai suburban, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The remaining 30 offices will be launched in other districts in the third phase. Officials said these centres will largely be set up in districts recording high volumes of property registrations.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had announced in Sept last year that the new centres would offer improved amenities and streamlined services similar to passport offices.However, the proposal has drawn criticism from citizen groups and activists, particularly in Pune, who questioned the need for private centres when existing govt offices lack basic infrastructure.Activist S Joshi said most sub-registrar offices do not have drinking water, adequate seating or functional toilets. "The govt should first fix the basics. A limited number of private centres may help in some cases, but additional charges for core services are unfair," he said.Ketaki Mohite, who recently registered a property in Pune, said existing offices were cramped and poorly maintained. "Upgrading current facilities should be the priority before roping in private operators," she said.Industry representatives also sounded caution. Sachin Shinghavi of the Association of Service Providers (Maharashtra) said while private centres may benefit those willing to pay extra for convenience, the department must not neglect the larger population dependent on govt-run facilities.Officials said the plan is aimed at reducing crowding and improving service delivery in high-demand urban centres, while govt staff will retain control over the core registration process.