Property registration becomes more affordable, 0.60% Cess abolished – major relief for citizens

TNINS

Raipur : Chhattisgarh government has abolished the 0.60% cess levied on property registration, providing significant relief to citizens. The decision came into immediate effect following the notification of the Chhattisgarh Cess (Amendment) Act, 2026.

Taken under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the move is seen as a key step toward good governance and public welfare. The 0.60% cess on registration of property transfer deeds, earlier charged on market value, has now been completely removed.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said, “The government aims not only to increase revenue but also to make life simpler and more affordable for citizens. The decision will directly benefit common citizens, farmers, middle-class families, and those involved in property transactions by reducing registration costs and making the process more accessible and affordable.”

Registration Minister Shri OP Choudhary said that the cess was removed following the passage of the Chhattisgarh Cess (Amendment) Bill, 2026 during the Assembly budget session. With immediate implementation, the additional 0.60% burden on property registration has been eliminated. He added that the decision will particularly benefit middle- and lower-income families and improve transparency and momentum in the property market. For example, on a property valued at Rs 1 crore, citizens will save around Rs 60,000.

The cess was originally introduced under the Chhattisgarh Cess Act, 1982. In 2023, the previous government imposed an additional 12% cess on stamp duty to fund employment and youth schemes, resulting in an extra burden of about 0.60% of market value on citizens.

At present, the Rajiv Gandhi Mitan Club Scheme is no longer operational, and employment-related schemes are funded through the state’s general budget. With the cess losing relevance, the government decided to abolish it.

Despite earning around Rs 148 crore in 2024–25 and approximately Rs 150 crore so far in the current financial year from this cess, the government chose to forgo the revenue in public interest.

Through this amendment, provisions related to the cess under Sections 8, 9, and the Schedule of the Chhattisgarh Cess Act, 1982 have been removed. The decision, along with reforms in the registration department, is expected to boost property registration, provide financial relief to citizens, benefit farmers and middle-class families, and accelerate economic activity in the state.