Purpose and Scope
- Seeks to replace the 117-year-old Registration Act, 1908, which governs registration of documents affecting immovable property and related transactions.
- Aims to modernize and digitize the property registration process in India.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance)
Key Digital Reforms
- Online registration enabled: Electronic presentation and admission of documents.
- Provision for electronic registration certificates.
- Digital maintenance of records for greater transparency and ease of access.
- Electronic integration with other record-keeping systems (e.g., land records, property databases).
Verification and Inclusion
- Offers Aadhaar-based authentication.
- Also allows alternative identity verification mechanisms for individuals without Aadhaar or who choose not to use it—ensuring inclusivity.
User-Centric Approach
- Emphasizes plain language for documents, making legal procedures more citizen-friendly.
- Focus on transparent and simplified procedures, especially to aid individual citizens and small businesses.
- Aims to ensure legal certainty without compromising on procedural safeguards.
Institutional Context
- The administration of the 1908 Act was transferred to the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development in 2006.
- The Department has invited public suggestions on the draft law via its website.
Significance
- Reflects a move towards digital governance in land administration.
- Addresses long-standing issues like cumbersome paperwork, corruption, and lack of access to property registration services.
- Represents an important step in land reforms, potentially improving ease of doing business and reducing property disputes.
