Karnataka govt tables Bill to do away with need of physical presence of buyer, seller for property registrations

“To reduce unnecessary travel to Deputy Registrar offices, technical registration is facilitated,” the minister said.

As per the Bill, all property software will be integrated to prevent illegal registration of properties in urban areas and “to enable e-Registration/Remote Registration of some compulsory registrable documents without the physical presence of either party in the Sub-Registrar’s offices”. “Certified copies will be made available through a central virtual distribution system to avoid delay,” the Bill said.

Personal appearance of either the seller or buyer will not be required if relevant documents are presented by electronic means. “Citizens can now register their properties through trusted entities such as the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB), Karnataka Housing Board, Slum Board and nationalised banks,” he said, noting that the model was successful in Maharashtra.

Another amendment to the Act mandates registration only through e-asset accounts verified by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Housing Board and Cauvery database. “This measure aims to curb illegal activities and ensure transparency in the registration process,” the minister said.

The Bill also has amendments to stop paper account registration, through which forged papers are used to fraudulently register properties.