Land deals may be safer soon
States told to keep data on titles to reduce deals involving disputed properties.
By Rajat Guha, TNN |
NEW DELHI: You may be saved from the peril of buying disputed property, if the government has its way. The urban development ministry plans to emphasise on registration of titles and encourage state governments to maintain an updated database on ownership of land.
Many land deals fail due to unclear ownership title. In many cases, there are no records of privately owned land in places like Delhi and Haryana. in certain cases, there are no records of even land transferred from lease-hold to free-hold.
The urban development ministry has asked some states to prepare a database of land titles in cities. “A survey would be undertaken all over the country in co-operation with the states under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. However, it is a lengthy process. Such a survey would facilitate the conversion of the present presumptive titles into conclusive titles, of which the state could be the guarantor,” a government official said.
At present, property buyers have to verify ownership details on their own. If somebody ends up buying a disputed property, the only remedy available is litigation. Almost 90% of land in India does not have clear titles. Due to lack of clear ownership, such properties do not find buyers, while there is a scramble for land with clear titles. Poor record keeping and outdated systems are the culprits behind most land disputes, officials feel.
“The Delhi government is setting up a land title certification authority to register land titles. The registered titles would then be fed into the state land records, which could help track ownership of land,” a government official said. The move is also intended to increase state revenues in terms of stamp duties and transfer charges. Many states are also working on fast-track courts to settle disputes swiftly.
Many land deals fail due to unclear ownership title. In many cases, there are no records of privately owned land in places like Delhi and Haryana. in certain cases, there are no records of even land transferred from lease-hold to free-hold.
The urban development ministry has asked some states to prepare a database of land titles in cities. “A survey would be undertaken all over the country in co-operation with the states under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. However, it is a lengthy process. Such a survey would facilitate the conversion of the present presumptive titles into conclusive titles, of which the state could be the guarantor,” a government official said.
At present, property buyers have to verify ownership details on their own. If somebody ends up buying a disputed property, the only remedy available is litigation. Almost 90% of land in India does not have clear titles. Due to lack of clear ownership, such properties do not find buyers, while there is a scramble for land with clear titles. Poor record keeping and outdated systems are the culprits behind most land disputes, officials feel.
“The Delhi government is setting up a land title certification authority to register land titles. The registered titles would then be fed into the state land records, which could help track ownership of land,” a government official said. The move is also intended to increase state revenues in terms of stamp duties and transfer charges. Many states are also working on fast-track courts to settle disputes swiftly.
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