Govt lifts registry ban to fill coffers

In a major policy revision, Delhi government decided to lift the ban on registry of sale and purchase of property in 567 unauthorised regularised colonies across the Capital.

In a major policy revision, Delhi government decided to lift the ban on registry of sale and purchase of property in 567 unauthorised regularised colonies across the Capital.

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The decision spells relief for the thousands of people who want to officially sell their property in colonies such as Laxmi Nagar, Shakarpur, Vishwas Nagar, Krishna Naga, Adarsh Nagar, Mahavir Enclave, Inderlok, Rajapuri, Ratan Park and Raj Nagar.

With increased circle rates announced in Delhi, the decision to lift the ban on registry would jack up property prices in these areas and the government is likely to earn more revenue, a senior Delhi government official said.

Senior Delhi government officials said while land deals in these localities never stopped — properties changed hands on power of attorney — depriving the state exchequer crores of rupees every year.

In 2007, the revenue department banned registry of properties in these colonies after the officials realised that the land on which these colonies were built was yet to be officially denotified.

These colonies came up on government land and its denotification is important to ensure that new buyers and owners could have them registered in their names.

"Property sale never stopped in these localities and buyers always managed to find some way around the law. But the biggest loser has come out to be the state," said a senior revenue department official.

Delhi revenue minister Rajkumar Chauhan said the order has already been drafted and the new rule was expected anytime now.

"The new order would be announced in a day or two. People would be able to get property deals registered immediately after that," he said.

According to the officials, these 567 colonies were regularised in 1977. The government provided water, sewage, roads and drainage in these localities after that.

Some of the colonies, said an official, are still being developed.