The scheme meant for people wanting to pay stamp duty along with a nominal fee was allowed to submit the necessary documents during the five months of the scheme that ended on November 30, 2008. An extension was granted until February this year only for those who had already filed their papers but had not been able to pay the amount. Over one lakh flat-owners in the state benefited from the scheme but many others were left out because of various reasons.

Following complaints, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has now extended the deadline to March 31 this year. The decision was taken after senior Congress leaders pushed for the move stating that due to the terror attacks, many people had not been able to file their papers before November 30.

Inspector General of Registration Ramrao Shingare said the move had been under consideration for long.

Revenue Minister Patangrao Kadam said, “We have extended the deadline so that thousands of flat-owners who were not able to take advantage of the scheme last year can do it now.” Kadam, who on Friday had mooted the stay on a registration fee hike, added, “The CM has accepted the stay on the registration fee issue. We did not want to make flats any more expensive for home buyers.”

As per the old rule, registration fee levied was 1% of the market value of the property or Rs 30,000, whichever was lower. Last week, the state revenue department issued a notification deleting the Rs 30,000 ceiling with the aim of increasing revenue. Of the Rs 8,000 crore earned by the state government by way of stamp duty last year, almost 10% was through registration fee.