Chandigarh: Haryana has ushered in a new era for property registration by digitizing its processes, introducing standard templates for nearly 140 types of deeds, and cutting out middlemen. Despite these sweeping changes, stamp duty revenue is still climbing by about nine to ten percent each year, according to Haryana Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra.
Dr. Misra described the reforms as proof that a more streamlined, citizen-focused administration can go hand in hand with robust revenue growth. She advocated for a thorough rethinking of tax exemptions and incentives, arguing that concessions should align with clear policy goals, deliver tangible economic benefits, and ultimately boost tax revenues over time.
Dr. Misra said templates had been developed for nearly 140 types of deeds that could be registered, while digital signatures, secure authentication and Aadhaar-linked processes had been incorporated into the system. “You can bypass any of these intermediaries if you want to,” she said. Now, citizens simply enter their details and submit them for review by revenue officials, who must examine and return the documents within a set timeframe.
Dr. Misra argued that administrative reform should not just focus on efficient collection but also on tackling the costs and complexity citizens face when complying with rules.She warned that simply digitising a process does not automatically make it user-friendly. She noted that even with digital systems, many tax forms remain so complex that small businesses and individuals must hire professionals just to comply and file them.
