No More Stamp Duty on Small Plots in Haryana!

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini announced the immediate abolition of stamp duty on residential plots up to 50 square yards in urban areas and 100 square yards in rural areas, a move aimed at easing property purchases for low-income families. The decision, effective Wednesday, applies to properties acquired under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana, Saini said during a state assembly session addressing an opposition motion on recent collector rate hikes.

Responding to criticism from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Saini defended the government’s revision of collector rates, which determine the minimum property registration value for stamp duty and fees. He clarified that only 72.01% of the state’s 2,46,812 segments saw a modest 10% increase, based on a transparent, data-driven formula analyzing the top 50% of property registries. In areas where registry values far exceeded collector rates, increases were capped at 50%, ensuring rates remain below market prices to curb black money and promote fair transactions.

INLD member Aditya Devi Lal argued the hikes made homeownership unaffordable for common people, urging a rollback. Saini countered that under the BJP’s rule since 2014, collector rate increases averaged just 9.69%, compared to 25.11% during the Congress’s 2004-2014 tenure, when rates in districts like Faridabad and Karnal surged by up to 300%. He accused the opposition of favoring builders and land mafias with arbitrary rate policies.

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Saini emphasized that stamp duty rates—7% for men and 5% for women since 2008—remain unchanged, and no new registration taxes have been introduced. The chief minister dismissed opposition claims as attempts to mislead, alleging their real issue lies with curbing black money in land deals.

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