Coronavirus lockdown: Document registration offices to open in Maharashtra

Pune: The document registration work has been halted across Maharashtra following the coronavirus lockdown. Sub-registrar offices across the State can open with the permission of the district collector, where the Coronavirus pandemic is under control. State Inspector General of Revenue and Controller of Stamps (IGR) Omprakash Deshmukh has issued instructions on measures to be taken by sub-registrar offices in the backdrop of the pandemic.

Marriage registration offices, sub-registrar and stamp collector offices have been closed since March 20. These offices will be allowed to open in the areas, where the pandemic is under control, after taking necessary precautions. Hence the IGR has issued the instructions.

The biometric system, where the thumb impression is taken, has been suspended at the sub-registrar’s office. Instead, an OTP sent on the mobile phone will be used at this office.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
The entire office will be sanitised on the day it opens and every week after that. Employees will be screened. Sanitisers and auto-sanitising machines will be installed at the entrance of sub-registrar offices. 

Nobody will be allowed to enter without a mask in the offices. Lawyers and parties will carry only the document that needs to be registered. Bags and purses are not allowed inside the office. Police or home guard personnel will be deployed at these offices.

Precautions to be taken while registering the document

Only one document will be registered at a time. Prior appointment is mandatory through the district headquarters estep-in or by calling up on the official number.

Prohibitory orders should be adhered to strictly. A party will remove their mask only while clicking their photo. They will carry their own pen. Maintain social distancing to avoid crowding of the office.

The alternatives of ‘Aaple Sarkar’ website and e-registrations are also available.

REGISTRATION FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM
The office hours have been increased from 9 am to 7 pm to ease the burden on all offices. Joint sub-registrars will decide whether to keep offices open on the second and fourth Saturdays.