DW BUREAU / MOHALI

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the Sub Registrar Office in Mohali to check the progress of the newly implemented Easy Registration Scheme.

The Chief Minister categorically stated that the purpose of the visit was not to find faults with the officers but to further streamline processes in government offices. He said that this might be the first time the people of Punjab have seen a Chief Minister visiting government offices in this manner. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that the aim is to ensure the well-being of the people by providing citizen-centric services in an efficient and transparent way.

The Chief Minister said the visit was meant to assess the progress of this ambitious project, which aims to significantly facilitate property registration for the public. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that he wanted to personally evaluate the outcomes of the project and oversee the functioning of the Sub Registrar Office. Describing the initiative as the first of its kind in the country, he said it has been launched to ensure that property registration is smooth and hassle-free.

Reiterating the benefits of the scheme, the Chief Minister said it promotes self-reliance, reduces dependency on private deed writers, and empowers citizens to handle their transactions independently. He highlighted that people no longer need to visit banks for payments, as the online consolidated payment gateway allows for all required fees?including stamp duty and registration fees?to be paid in a single digital transaction. This eliminates the need for demand drafts or cash handling, addressing both convenience and security concerns, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Praising the scheme as a time-, money-, and energy-saving initiative, the Chief Minister said that the 48-hour document pre-scrutiny process and appointment-based registration system minimize disruption to citizens' work and family life. He said that this results in indirect financial savings and improved efficiency. Bhagwant Singh Mann also mentioned that the online portal includes pre-set government rates and a "Calculate My Fees" tool, enabling citizens to plan their expenses more effectively.

The Chief Minister said that this eliminates hidden costs and reduces dependency on middlemen. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the streamlined, hassle-free registration process aims to provide peace of mind to the public and is built on the principle of "Your Property, Your Convenience."

The Chief Minister announced that the scheme, which has been successfully launched in Mohali, will soon be replicated across the state. During his visit, which lasted over 20 minutes, he interacted with the public and sought their feedback on the scheme. Bhagwant Singh Mann asked them about the time taken to complete their registration. Citizens shared that their work was completed smoothly and within the scheduled time, which was communicated via WhatsApp.

Praising the initiative, citizens present at the office said they were attended to promptly and without any undue delay.

(editor@dailyworld.in)