VADODARA: In view of the increasing number of cases arising out of agriculture land deeds and power of attorney agreements, Vadodara district administration is putting a first-of-its-kind measure in place from September 1, which would act as conclusive evidence in litigations over such land deeds, and eventually, help bring down such litigations.
From Saturday onwards, all sellers and buyers of agriculture land in the district would be personally interviewed by the sub registrar to ascertain that the details of the deed are clear to both the parties at the timing of signing of the deed. The interviews would be simultaneously video-recorded as an evidence to be produced in the court, in case of litigation over the land. Deeds being registered on the power of attorney would also undergo similar treatment. The agreement would be registered only after the sub-registrar gives a certificate saying he is satisfied that the parties are fully aware about the nature and the fine print in the deed.
"If any of the parties later takes a contrary stand in the court, these video recordings can nail their lies," a district functionary said. A fee of Rs 20 would be charged from the applicant to cover the cost of video-recording .
"After we received two such cases last month, where farmers complained that they were taken for a ride by the buyers on the pretext of signing 'Banakhat' (agreement for sale of land) but were duped into signing the actual land deed at the land registrar office, we have decided to put this preventive measure in place," DC, Vinod Rao told TOI.
Sub registrar's queries would be based on a check list where he would ascertain that the buyers/ sellers are aware of the nature of the deed, particularly, whether it's a banakhat or the land deed being signed. In case of multiple buyers or sellers, each individual would be separately interviewed and video-recorded. In case of power of attorney, the sub registrar would seek clarity on whether it is a general power of attorney or a simple power of attorney meant for a specific purpose.
Vipul Thakkar, president of CREDAI hailed the step revealing that the association had helped the administration on arriving at the solution. Niramay Parikh, one of the leading lawyers of the city said the step would definitely bring down the litigation. "It's a good step, but can this be done without amending the Land Registration Act?" he asked.
The DC said it was a procedural step for which no amendment was required.
Nearly 6,000 to 8,000 land deeds are registered every month in Vadodara district. The pace has picked up in the past few years following a spree in building activities on the city's outskirts.
The new measure would also check the collusion of sub-registrar office employees, who are invariably party to exploitative or illegal deeds.
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