Pune Residents Raise Concerns Over 60 New Private Property Registration Centres
Pune residents and activists are voicing their concerns over the Maharashtra government's plan to introduce 60 private property registration centres, citing the need for upgrades in existing government facilities.
Property RegistrationPrivate CentresGovernment FacilitiesPuneMaharashtraReal Estate PuneSep 22, 2025
They also expressed discontent that private centres would take additional service charges. Last week, during the Seva Saptah initiative, state revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the centres would be run by a private institution and provide facilities similar to those of passport service centres, thus easing processes, improving efficiency, and reducing wait times. Officials said the registration department staff and additional personnel appointed by the private agency would jointly operate the centres.
They said a service fee would have to be paid over and above the existing government registration charge, and the exact amount would be finalised once the implementing agency was appointed. “The state revenue minister has directed us to prepare the plan. A tender will be floated to appoint the private agency soon. Government officials will operate the centre and carry out the registration process. The agency will only provide the support staff,” said an official.
“The private centres will be planned on the lines of passport offices,” he added. However, citizens forums and activists voiced their concern over the decision. They said over 500 government-run registration offices already existed in Maharashtra and Rs10 crore had been earmarked to upgrade 100 of them. They said establishing private centres with additional fees was unjustified. Existing offices did not have basic infrastructure and that should be improved first.
Activist S Joshi said, “Most sub-registrar offices lack drinking water, seating arrangements, and functional toilets. The government should fix the basics. A limited number of private centres may help in some cases, but additional charges for core services are unfair.” Citizen Seema Munot, who recently registered a property in Pune, said, “The government offices are cramped, there is no drinking water, and toilets are unusable. Upgrading existing facilities should be of primary concern before the government ropes in private operators.”
Industry representatives said people needed to be cautious. Sachin Shinghavi from the Association of Service Providers (Maharashtra) said while private centres may cater to those willing to pay extra for convenience, the department could not overlook the larger population that depended on government-run facilities. “The department may want a corporate approach, but they must simultaneously invest in existing offices since most people will continue to rely on them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state is pressing ahead with the improvement programme of its property registration offices. Officials said that last year, 50 sub-registrar offices received Rs10 lakh for furniture, fixtures, and interiors for a revamp. Renovation of 100 more offices at Rs10 crore would be part of the second phase. Offices in high-transaction urban areas would be modernised, while new government sub-registrar offices may also be set up in rural regions, as part of upgradation, to address growing demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plan announced by the Maharashtra government?
The Maharashtra government plans to introduce 60 private property registration centres across the state to improve efficiency and reduce wait times.
What are the concerns raised by citizens and activists?
Citizens and activists are concerned that the existing 500 government-run registration offices need urgent upgrades and that private centres will charge additional fees, which is unfair.
What are the benefits of the private property registration centres?
The private centres are expected to provide better facilities, improve efficiency, and reduce wait times, similar to passport service centres.
How much additional service charge will be required at private centres?
The exact amount of the additional service charge has not been finalised yet and will be determined once the implementing agency is appointed.
What is the state's plan for upgrading existing government offices?
The state has earmarked Rs10 crore to upgrade 100 sub-registrar offices and plans to modernise high-transaction urban areas and set up new offices in rural regions.
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