Pune: Two months after the Maharashtra cooperation department launched a fully online cooperative society registration system, 23 housing societies across the state have completed the entire approval process through the Aaple Sarkar portal. This signals a significant shift from the earlier paperwork-heavy system, which required repeated visits to deputy registrar offices.
Application Statistics and Progress
State cooperation department officials told TOI on Friday that the portal has so far received 304 applications for society name reservation, which is the first stage of registration. Of these, 113 applications have been approved, while 34 were rejected. Officials further noted that 23 societies have successfully completed both the name reservation and final registration processes after securing permission for bank account opening and submitting required documents online.
Housing societies from Pune, Ratnagiri, Amravati, Kolhapur, and Sangli are among those that have utilized the digital facility.
Objectives and Benefits
Cooperation Commissioner Deepak Taware stated, "The move aims to simplify the long-pending, paperwork-heavy process, reduce visits to deputy registrar offices, curb middlemen, and speed up approvals." The online registration system, launched on the Aaple Sarkar portal, applies to all cooperative societies, including housing societies. Officials believe the initiative will particularly benefit urban centers such as Mumbai and Pune, where many housing societies continue to function without formal registration due to procedural delays, excessive documentation, and lack of builder cooperation.
Integration and Fee Payment
Deputy Registrar (IT) Mahendra Magar said the portal has been integrated with the government accounting framework, enabling applicants to pay the registration fee of Rs 2,500 online and track applications in real time. "We are seeing a good response since the launch," Magar added.
Reduced Documentation Requirements
Officials noted that the digital process has reduced the number of mandatory documents from 29 to 19. Documents such as zoning certificates, title search reports, development agreements, business projection plans, and several affidavits have been removed. However, essential documents related to land ownership, construction approvals, promoter details, and registered agreements have been retained.
Application Process
Applicants are required to create a user ID on the Aaple Sarkar portal and pay Rs 50 to initiate the process. The platform offers single-window access for services such as society name reservation, permission for opening a bank account, and uploading documents. Once the society name is approved, applicants can open a cooperative bank account and deposit the share capital amount. Proof of the deposit and other required documents are then uploaded online before the application moves to the final registration stage.
Scrutiny and Timeline
Officials explained that registrars scrutinize applications digitally and raise queries online if necessary, while applicants must respond within a stipulated timeline. The entire process is expected to be completed within two months, with a digital registration certificate issued within 30 days after compliance.
Current Status of Housing Societies in Maharashtra
According to cooperation department data, only around 1.25 lakh housing societies are currently registered in Maharashtra, while lakhs of buildings, especially in urban areas, remain outside the formal cooperative framework. Taware said the department aims to bring more societies into the formal system. "Once registered, societies can manage finances better, undertake repairs, apply for conveyance, and access government services," he emphasized.
Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, expert director at the Maharashtra State Housing Federation, commented that the reform would improve transparency and accountability by digitally recording every stage of the process.
