Pune: The state registration department will launch the first five private model sub-registrar offices, including one in the city, in AugustTwo sub-registrar offices (SROs) would be set up in Mumbai, one in Navi Mumbai and another in Nagpur in the first phase, said a senior official of the registration department on Friday after a final discussion with the private operator. The rollout would mark the beginning of the state registration department’s plan to establish 60 model registration centres across the state through public-private partnership, while continuing operations at the existing 517 government-run registration offices.“The private operator has committed to start the first five centres between Aug 1 and Aug 30. Earlier, the target was July,” a senior state registration department official said.Citizens opting for the model centres would have to pay an additional processing charge of up to Rs 5,217 per document. The model SROs are being developed on the lines of Passport Seva Kendras with an aim to improve citizens’ experience through better infrastructure, technology and support services.Officials said the private operator would manage the centres, but all statutory powers and registration-related functions would remain with the government officials. “The selected agency will provide infrastructure, facility management and support staff. The actual registration process will be carried out by the registration department officials, including sub-registrars. Regulatory control will remain entirely with the government,” another official said.The department plans to launch another 25 centres in high-registration districts, including Pune, Mumbai suburban, Thane, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, in the second phase. The remaining 30 would be rolled out across other districts in the final phase.The model SROs will feature fully air-conditioned premises, Wi-Fi-enabled waiting areas, digital document-processing systems and trained service personnel to assist visitors. Facilities such as drinking water, refreshments and organised waiting areas are also on the cards.The rollout of private registration centres comes amid growing criticism of the condition of many existing registration offices. Citizens and activists repeatedly pointed to overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate seats and lack of basic amenities.Mohan Joshi, a senior citizen, said the government must simultaneously improve the existing offices. “Most sub-registrar offices still lack adequate drinking water facilities, seating arrangements and clean toilets. Modern centres may improve the service delivery, but the government should also focus on upgrading the infrastructure in regular offices, where the majority of citizens continue to go,” he said.Pune’s Pushpa Chavan, who recently completed a property registration, said, “The registration process is largely digital today, but the experience at many offices is traumatic because of long queues, cramped waiting areas and poor sanitation. Citizens have been demanding better facilities for years. Upgrading the existing offices, too, should remain a priority.”
