Move to make land and housing registration cheaper and more accessible; government forgoes revenue to ease burden on citizens
Published on: March 20, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
In a major relief for property buyers and the middle class, the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has passed the Chhattisgarh Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote, abolishing the 0.60 percent cess levied on property registration.
The decision eliminates the additional charge that was earlier imposed on the market value of immovable property during registration. With this reform, the cost of registering land and housing is set to decline significantly, benefiting lakhs of citizens across the state.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the move as a “pro-people decision,” emphasizing that the government is committed to reducing unnecessary financial burdens on citizens, farmers, and middle-class families. He said the reform reflects the administration’s focus on transparent, citizen-friendly governance and a simplified tax structure.
Commercial Tax Minister O.P. Choudhary, while presenting the bill in the Assembly, stated that the amendment is not merely a legal change but a strong reflection of the government’s commitment to welfare-oriented and equitable taxation. He highlighted that the removal of the cess would directly lower registration costs—for instance, saving nearly ₹60,000 on a property valued at ₹1 crore.
Choudhary noted that the government has consciously chosen to forgo revenue in favor of public welfare. The state had earned around ₹148 crore from the cess in 2024–25 and approximately ₹150 crore in the current financial year so far. However, the cess has now been withdrawn as its original purpose—funding certain schemes—is no longer relevant.
The minister also outlined a series of broader reforms introduced in the registration system to enhance transparency and ease of access. These include automatic mutation (name transfer) post-registration, Aadhaar-based verification to prevent fraud, and the development of a mobile application for accurate geo-tagging of properties.
Additionally, registration offices are being upgraded into “smart offices” under the PPP model, offering facilities such as air-conditioned waiting areas, clean drinking water, hygienic restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and queue-based systems for faster service delivery.
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Significant changes have also been made in fee calculation. Registration charges will now be based on guideline values rather than transaction values, offering relief in cases involving higher documented values due to bank loans. In another citizen-friendly move, registration fees for property transfers within families—such as gifts, partitions, and relinquishments—have been reduced to a flat ₹500, irrespective of property value.
The government has also rationalized land valuation norms, especially in rural areas, by eliminating excessive multipliers and shifting to hectare-based valuation. Additional burdens related to agricultural land classification, tree valuation, and urban property factors such as super built-up area have also been removed.
According to the minister, these reforms are expected to provide annual relief of around ₹460 crore to citizens while encouraging higher property registrations and boosting economic activity.
Chief Minister Sai added that the decision goes beyond tax relief and represents a step toward respecting the aspirations of millions who invest their lifetime savings in land and housing. He expressed confidence that the move would accelerate economic growth and contribute to building a “Viksit Chhattisgarh.”
