Odisha to Amend Real Estate Laws for Easier Sale Deed Registration

Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari stated that there are currently some obstacles in the registration of sale deeds for apartments and land in the state. He mentioned that the government is considering making the necessary changes to the laws and existing regulations.

He further explained that a meeting of stakeholders had been held to discuss the issue, as the current situation is causing difficulties for citizens, who face challenges in registering sale deeds, as well as for the government, which is losing significant revenue from stamp duty and registration. Pujari added that the required amendments would be made to the rules and regulations to streamline the registration process, and that these changes would be implemented soon.

The registration of sale deeds for apartments and land faced a setback in 2022 when the Orissa High Court, while hearing a petition, instructed the Inspector General of Revenue to ensure that all rules were followed at the sub-registrar level. However, sale deed registration for apartments resumed in May following the enactment of the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act of 2023, although the numbers remained low, as the Act requires both an occupancy certificate and an association of allottees' certificate for the process to proceed.

Real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan pointed out that many apartments in the city lack the necessary occupancy certificate, which has led to delays in registration and re-registration. He also mentioned that some sub-registrars had registered deeds in violation of the rules, resulting in their dismissal. Pradhan suggested that, in addition to the amendments, the government should introduce a regularization scheme for existing buildings. He emphasized that regularisation is the only way to resolve all the issues hindering sale deed registration.