The Maharashtra government is set to introduce 60 new property registration centres across the state, to be operated by private agencies, in an effort to streamline services, reduce waiting time and improve overall efficiency. Officials told The Times of India (TOI) that the move, while aimed at enhancing citizen convenience, will involve an additional service charge.
These centres, designed on the lines of passport service facilities, will function alongside the existing 517 government-run sub-registrar offices. The proposal received approval from the revenue department last year and will be executed in multiple 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.
Although infrastructure and support staff will be provided by private operators, government officials will continue to handle the core registration process. “All facilities will be provided by the private institution, but the registration work will be done by state govt employees,” Mohite said.
An additional service fee of up to ₹6,000 per document is likely to be charged over and above existing registration fees, with the cap already fixed at ₹6,000. The final fee structure will be notified after the implementing agency is appointed.
The second phase, expected within nine months of the initial rollout, will add 25 centres across Mumbai suburban, Pune, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The remaining 30 offices will be introduced in other districts during the third phase, primarily in high-volume registration areas.
Revenue Minister **Chandrashekhar Bawankule had earlier stated that the new centres would offer upgraded amenities and smoother services similar to passport offices.
However, citizen groups and activists have raised concerns, arguing that existing government offices require basic infrastructure improvements before introducing private operators. Industry representatives also cautioned that while the model may benefit those willing to pay extra, public facilities must not be neglected. Officials maintain the initiative is intended to ease crowding while retaining government control over the registration process.
Source: The Times of India
