The state government has introduced a stamp duty exemption scheme targeting property owners who failed to register sale deeds between 1982 and 1997, in what appears to be another attempt to recover outstanding revenues.
Whilst the scheme presents itself as an attractive incentive designed to encourage property registration and enable the government to collect unpaid stamp duties and penalties&mdash;potentially worth hundreds of crores&mdash;its practical benefits remain questionable.
The scheme applies to properties purchased between 27th April 1982 and 4th April 1997 that remain unregistered, with sale deeds not completed and requisite stamp duties unpaid. Under the programme, property owners need to pay only 20 per cent of the original stamp duty value&mdash;effectively receiving an 80 per cent waiver&mdash;but must pay the full penalty amount to secure property transfer.
Jenu Devan, Inspector General of Registration and Superintendent of Stamps, explained the scheme's parameters to Benefit News: "This is meant strictly for past cases where properties remain untransferred. It does not apply to new transactions. A detailed Government Resolution will be released shortly to explain the implementation."
However, property owners and industry observers view the scheme as largely ineffective. The penalty amounts significantly exceed the original stamp duty and, crucially, accepting the scheme would require payment equivalent to 30-40 per cent of the property's current market value, rendering it economically unviable for most owners.
Critics suggest the scheme amounts to little more than a token gesture, with its prohibitive costs likely to deter the very participation it seeks to encourage
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State Government Launches Stamp Duty Exemption Scheme for Unregistered Properties

New stamp duty waiver aims to resolve unregistered deeds but high penalties may limit its effectiveness.

State Government Launches Stamp Duty Exemption Scheme for Unregistered Properties

New stamp duty waiver aims to resolve unregistered deeds but high penalties may limit its effectiveness.

June 30, 2025 | 22:57 IST