Draft bill ready, to be put up for discussion with experts and residents’ welfare associations

The Delhi government is ready with the draft of its new property Bill — the Delhi Survey, Registration and Recordal of Title of Immovable Properties in Urban Areas Act, 2009. The Bill is to be cleared after consultations with stakeholders and Resident Welfare Associations (RWA).

On Thursday, a presentatation of the draft was made by Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta and Jatin Aneja of Amarchand and Mangaldas and Shroff solicitors, the legal firm that assisted the government on drafting the law on the recommendation of the World Bank.

The committee headed by Mehta invited suggestions and comments from architects, legal experts and government stakeholders. On Friday, there will be a public hearing of it with the RWAs registered with the government.

The draft is available on the website of the Delhi government and public comments can be sent to the government on comment-revenue@ymail.com.

Property titling is one of the key reforms mandated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for city governments. Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are the two other states that have implemented the Titling system in India so far.

“Under the current set-up, no one can really ascertain the exact rate of property because our property market is still very unorganised,” said Mehta. “Digitising property titles and making the information accessible to the public will help avoid dubious and fraudulent transactions, regularise property tax and stamp duty collections for the government. Property owners will also have a sense of security of ownership.”

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