Maharashtra Introduces Online Notice System for Property Record Changes in Pune Division
Pune, 8th December 2024: The Maharashtra State Government’s Land Records Department will now provide online information to the Department of Post for sending notices of changes in property records to the concerned parties. Once this information is received, the Department of Post will distribute the notices, saving time. This facility has been launched as a pilot in the Pune division and will be implemented across Maharashtra in the new year.
Under the current system, notices are sent by the Land Records Department to the Department of Post, which then delivers them to citizens’ homes. This process has led to delays in receiving notices. However, with the new system, the Land Records Department will provide the notices online to the Post Office for distribution, ensuring timely delivery to citizens.
Each year, around 4 lakh cases are filed statewide to alter property records, with 3 lakh of those cases certified. Each certified property record requires notices to be served to at least four individuals, resulting in 12 to 15 lakh notices annually. On average, 1 lakh notices need to be sent each month, which means 4,000 notices must be distributed daily. This required significant manpower at the Department of Post. Previously, no more than 30 notices could be accepted per day at the Post Office, and if there were more, additional manpower was needed. There were also costs related to tickets, disputes, and financial penalties, according to Rajendra Gole, Director of Land Records, Pune.
Issuing the notices traditionally took at least a week, as the land records department’s surveyor had to take a certified copy of the notice, seal it, and post it. Many complaints were received about notices not reaching certain property holders, and there was no proof that the notice had been received by the concerned party. To address these issues, the Land Records Department, with the help of the National Information Centre (NIC), has created a special online window for the Department of Post. The Department of Post will now be responsible for issuing the notices to account holders, reducing the chances of people missing the opportunity to raise objections. Citizens will also be informed promptly about any changes to their records, Gole added.
Key Points:
– Time will be saved.
– Property Holders will have proof of receipt of notice.
– Property holders will have the opportunity to object within the time limit.
– Savings on ticket and manpower costs.
NK Sudhansu, Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records in Pune, explained that notices regarding changes in property records were previously sent only through post. However, many times the notices were not received, preventing account holders from raising objections within the time limit. As the number of applications has increased, this new online facility with the Post Office will ensure that account holders receive the notice more quickly and within the stipulated period. This system will be adopted statewide in the coming new year.
