Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that ex-servicemen and persons with disabilities (PwDs) will be brought under the ambit of stamp duty exemption, extending the benefit currently available only to women buyers in the state. Officials said the move reflects the government’s focus on providing social and financial support to groups that have served the nation or require special assistance.
The decision was taken during a review meeting of the Stamp and Registration Department, where the chief minister also issued a series of directions to modernize the registration system and curb irregularities. Yogi said that following positive outcomes of a pilot project in five districts, e-payment of registration fees above ₹20,000 should now be made mandatory in all districts.
He further instructed officials to introduce Aadhaar-based authentication at the time of property registration to check fraud and ensure transparency. “The aim is to simplify procedures while strengthening safeguards against manipulation,” an official present at the meeting said.
The chief minister also pushed for the implementation of an e-registration system through a single-window mechanism for allottees of development authorities. He asked the department to expedite recruitment to vacant posts to improve efficiency and service delivery. Yogi suggested rationalizing the commission structure of stamp vendors, and directed officials to explore alternate methods for stamp sales to bring fairness into the system.
Another key decision was to waive stamp duty and registration fees on lease agreements for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for up to 10 years. Officials said this measure is expected to support business growth and reduce the compliance burden on entrepreneurs.
Stamp and Registration Minister Ravindra Jaiswal, who attended the meeting, informed that digitization of registered deeds from 2002 to 2017 is nearly complete, with over 99% of the work finished. Currently, more than 98% of registration transactions in the state are already being conducted through e-stamps, marking a major shift towards digital processes.
To strengthen transparency and accountability, discrepancies in assessment lists across districts have been rectified and CCTV cameras are being installed in sub-registrar offices. Officials said these measures will help curb malpractice and improve citizen confidence in the department.
The extension of stamp duty exemption to ex-servicemen and PwDs is expected to benefit thousands of families across Uttar Pradesh. Analysts said the decision aligns with the government’s broader strategy of inclusive development. “It is a recognition of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the challenges faced by the disabled community. The exemptions will reduce their financial burden in property transactions,” a senior official explained.
With digitization nearly complete and reforms being fast-tracked, officials believe the state’s registration system is moving closer to a transparent, tech-driven framework. Yogi emphasized that the ultimate goal is to deliver efficient services to citizens while ensuring accountability at every stage.
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