Dept of Registration still in infancy;common public continues to suffer

AVINAV VERMA. Updated: 11/15/2019 10:48:42 AM Front Page

Only 100 registries across J&K since Nov 1; Lawyers’ strike enters 14th day

JAMMU: Despite the proactive approach by the administration in implementing its decision of creation of a new Department of Registration; followed by a no-comprise stance against the ongoing strike by the lawyers in the judicial courts who have been divested of their powers in this regard, the process of registration of documents including sale deeds, lease deeds, mortgage deeds and other documents is yet to take off properly.
While lawyers are on the road since past 14 days, the worst sufferers are the common people who are unaware of the new process set-up the government for the registration of documents.
Aiming to provide hassle-free and speedy service to the citizens for registration of documents pertaining to immovable property like sale, gift, mortgage, lease and bequest, the State Administrative Council (SAC) on October 24 had approved creation of a new Department of Registration.
The decision had divested the judicial courts of its powers to register various documents, vesting the same with the Revenue Department which led to an indefinite strike by lawyers in most parts of Jammu region, which continued for the 14th consecutive day today.
While on one side, the department of registration is struggling to make people aware about new process of registering documents, on the other, the High Court and its subordinate courts wear deserted looks as the lawyers are on the indefinite strike.
“We have started registration since November 1, as per the government order and registration process is going on every sub division court. Moreover, 100 registries have been done so far,” Inspector General Registration, Pawan Kotwal told The News Now.
“We are compiling the data. I don’t have the exact figure right now with me. Roughly around 8-10 registries have been completed post November 1 in Jammu district,” Additional Inspector General of Registration, Jammu Rakesh Kumar Sangral told this scribe.
“Whenever we switch to a new system, it takes some times for things to fall in place. Initial three-four days were utilized to complete basic formalities like making stamp and system. Gradually it will pick the pace,” he told when asked about slow process of registering documents in new setup.
Earlier this month, the government set a deadline of November 30 for rolling out the Computerised Registration System across the UT of J&K.
“We are working on modus operandi to make procedure online. Initially, it will work manually and online but after some time when people become familiar it will be purely online,” he added.
Sub District Magistrate, Vijaypur, Chander Parkash Kotwal said, “As we are executing agency, we have started registration and making people aware since the order was passed by Jammu and Kashmir government.”
“Right now there is no fixed time for registering document as initially we want to facilitate people and they can come anytime. Once the people get aware then we decide the day and time for the registrations. It totally depends upon the registry work we will receive in future,” he said.
“Even if the government opts for online process but people still have to show their presence in the Court. The online process will shorten the time. In absence of online process we have to check stamp duties, if the process is online we will get the receipt,” he said.
He added that the presence is mandatory because there is more chance of forgery in this process.
On Thursday, the lawyers’ strike to mark their protest against SAC’s move for creation of a new Department of Registration for registration of various deeds entered into fourteenth consecutive day
President of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association’s Jammu chapter, Abhinav Sharma said that they will continue their strike until their demands are not addressed.
“We know the newly created department is registering documents but we will not call off our strike until our demands are not addressed.”


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