Punjab Govt Reforms Ease Property Registration in Cooperative Housing

In a move aimed at strengthening property rights in Punjab and resolving decades-old legal uncertainties, the Punjab government has announced major citizen-centric reforms for cooperative housing societies. Approved under the direction of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also heads the Cooperation Department, the new framework focuses on making property registration affordable, legally secure, and transparent, while protecting state revenue.

According to an official statement, the reforms address long-pending issues where properties in cooperative housing societies remained unregistered for decades, leaving families without clear legal ownership. To correct this, the government has introduced stamp duty exemptions and concessional rates to incentivise voluntary registration.

Key Highlights

• Punjab cooperative housing property registration reforms announced
• Stamp duty exemption for original allottees and legal heirs
• Concessional stamp duty rates valid till March 31, 2026

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A key highlight of the reforms is the complete exemption from stamp duty on original allotment instruments executed by cooperative housing societies in favour of their original members. These registrations will be allowed at face value, with only a nominal registration fee. The same benefit has been extended to legal heirs, spouses, and eligible family members, ensuring smooth succession and protection of genuine cases.

For non-original allottees and transferees, the government has announced time-bound concessional stamp duty rates, notified on January 12. Stamp duty has been fixed at 1 percent for registrations completed by January 31, 2026, 2 percent by February 28, 2026, and 3 percent by March 31, 2026, after which normal rates will apply.

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Additionally, a statutory cap on transfer fees charged by cooperative housing societies has been introduced to prevent arbitrary or excessive charges. The reforms aim to ensure legally secure ownership, lawful recovery of stamp duty, and reduced litigation, while encouraging compliance through incentives rather than coercion.