Tamil Nadu CM Vijay makes online registration mandatory for first sale of plots, flats: What it means

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of Tamil Nadu announced on Monday that online registration will become mandatory for the first sale of plots and flats in the state, as part of a move to enhance transparency and reduce the necessity for individuals to physically visit sub-registrar offices. This initiative marks the beginning of a transition to a more advanced registration system called STAR 3.0.

The first sale of a plot refers to the initial transaction where a developer sells a newly developed plot of land or an apartment to a buyer. The announcement was made by Vijay at the secretariat in Chennai. The new registration system mandates that all documents related to the first sale of plots in layouts and apartments must be registered online, through the TNREGINET portal, without the need for physical presence at sub-registrar offices.

This initiative aims to "improve transparency and efficiency in the registration process and provide easier services to the public," according to a statement from Vijay's office. Builders, developers, and applicants will need to create login credentials on the TNREGINET portal before submitting the necessary documents. Executants, claimants, and witnesses will have to upload their Aadhaar details and complete biometric authentication using fingerprint or iris verification.

This process eliminates the requirement for these parties to visit a sub-registrar's office. Registered officers will be required to process applications within 24 hours. They can either approve the application, return it for corrections, or reject it. Documents that are returned for rectification can be resubmitted within 30 days.

To prevent forgery, registered documents will feature the sub-registrar's digital signature, a dynamic five-color endorsement, and a QR code on each page that contains registration details. After registration, the documents will be digitally signed by the sub-registrar and made accessible via the user's account. Users will have 60 days to download the verified documents from their accounts.

After this period, members of the public can apply for a certified copy of the registered document through the existing process.