Delhi Government Proposes Tatkal-Style Property Registration
Residents of Delhi may soon have a faster way to register their properties, similar to the Indian Railways' popular tatkal booking system. The Delhi government is actively examining a proposal to introduce a premium, express service that would allow for same-day or next-day appointments at sub-registrar offices.
Tackling Persistent Delays and Long Waiting Periods
This initiative comes as a direct response to persistent complaints from citizens about excruciatingly long waiting periods for registration appointments. In high-demand areas like Janakpuri, Pitampura, and Mehrauli, these waits often stretch for several days or even weeks. Advocate Kishan Chauhan, who handles property matters in west Delhi, confirmed the severity of the issue, stating that in Janakpuri and Pitampura, the waiting window is typically at least 15 days, often crossing 20 days during peak periods.
Jarnal Singh Yadav, a property businessman from Mehrauli in south Delhi, added that appointments there are rarely available within a week. These delays have caused significant problems, especially for sellers planning to travel abroad, who have been unable to complete transactions on time, leading to complications with paperwork and payment deadlines.
How the New Tatkal Registration Service Will Work
The proposal, submitted by the revenue department, aims to create an exclusive window for urgent registrations. To maintain exclusivity and prevent overbooking, the premium fee for this service is likely to be in the thousands of rupees. A government official explained, "A high fee will ensure only those who require urgent registration opt for the service." The exact amount is yet to be finalized.
This will be Delhi's first-ever express registration service, designed not only to reduce delays for citizens but also to give a boost to government revenue. It will cater to the urgent registration of various legally binding documents, including deeds, wills, agreements, and conveyance deeds.
The mechanism will be seamlessly integrated into the existing National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS), which is already used by the state as the Delhi Onli-ne Registration Information System. This platform allows citizens to prepare documents, make payments, book appointments, and access registration details digitally, ensuring the new tatkal process remains transparent and efficient.
A Much-Needed Solution for a High-Volume System
The move is considered crucial given the immense volume of registrations handled by the city's 11 revenue districts and 22 sub-registrar offices. Collectively, these offices process a staggering 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh registrations annually across more than 20 categories of documents.
Officials expect the tatkal service to be widely used, considering the high number of transactions involving NRI sellers, tight bank loan deadlines, and agreements nearing their expiry. The grievances received over the past few years have finally prompted the government to devise this mechanism for quick completions, marking a significant step towards modernizing and streamlining public service delivery in the capital.
