Kerala Government exempts personal appearance when to buy or sell land
All land transactions must add photos and thumb impressions on registration documents

Kerala, May 11, 2007
Suresh

To stop fake transactions, the Kerala government introduced new registration procedures to add photos and thumb impressions on registration documents for selling and buying of land in the state. This law came into force starting May 7, 2007.

NRIs from Middle East and other countries requested to the Govt. that the new procedure would make it difficult for them to buy or sell land in the state. The Govt. took immediate action and decided to exempt NRIs from personal appearance when selling or buying land in Kerala. The State Registration Minister S. Sarma. said:

• The NRIs could send the power to his family members or others to get the document registered in their name through a power of attorney
• The government has allowed the exemption following the requests received from NRIs and NRI organizations, expressing the difficulties faced by them to be present during the transactions.
• The government was also considering the option of taking the thumb impression of NRIs through fax.
• The new procedures are on the basis of the amendment to Rule 30, which insists that registration officers verify the identity of the clients by checking their identity cards such as Electoral ID card, ration card, driving licence, PAN card or any other ID proof

The State Registration Minister S. Sarma also said that serious steps have been taken to stop fake transactions and to give excellent services to NRIs