Noida: Days after deed writers in Greater Noida went on strike alleging that the state’s e-registration initiative would threaten their livelihood, the registration department has issued another order clarifying that the online system will apply only to a limited category of property transactions.In a circular issued on June 12, the state inspector general of registration clarified that e-registration was not being introduced for all property documents and sale deeds, as was widely perceived following the June 4 rollout order.The clarification comes amid protests by deed writers and document scribes, who expressed fears that a fully digital registration process would make their services redundant and lead to job losses. The state govt earlier maintained that the initiative was intended to simplify registration, reduce paperwork and improve transparency in transactions involving govt housing and industrial projects.Advocates and deed writers at the registry offices in Greater Noida, Dadri and Jewar suspended work and called for an indefinite strike on June 10 to protest against the govt’s move to implement e-registration. The registration process was affected on June 11 and 12.“Our concern is not digitalisation — it is livelihood. If buyers can register property directly online, they will stop coming to registry offices. Deed writers and advocates will be rendered redundant overnight. That is why we struck work and demanded amendments to the order,” Mahesh Bhati, president of Advocate and Deed Writers Welfare Association, said.The amended instructions confine e-registration to deeds executed by govt or semi-govt agencies notified under the Uttar Pradesh Online Registration Rules, 2024, and only for the first transfer deeds under approved schemes and sanctioned documents. Secondary transactions between private parties are excluded.“The e-registration system will not adversely affect advocates and deed writers. Govt-executed properties are far fewer than private transactions. In Gautam Budh Nagar, for instance, YEIDA’s first transfers to allottees will go through e-registry. But a homebuyer purchasing a flat from a builder will still follow the old process,” assistant inspector general-2 (Greater Noida) Brijesh Kumar said.Agencies covered under the framework include Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway industrial development authorities, the UP Housing and Development Board, the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority, Lucknow Development Authority and Varanasi Development Authority. Registration officials have been directed to guide the public, advocates and deed writers to clear any confusion over implementation.The strike, however, has not been called off. “A decision will be taken on Monday. We believe the govt will eventually extend e-registry to all property transactions,” said Bhati.
