Circular No. 47547/C1/2023, Free Certified Copies for Michaung and Thoothukudi Flood Victims, 2024
The Tamil Nadu Registration Department, through the Inspector General of Registration, issued Circular No. 47547/C1/2023 dated 3 September 2024 to implement free certified copies of registered documents for people who lost originals in the Michaung cyclone and Thoothukudi floods. It applies only to eligible applications received on or before 2 September 2024 and sets out verification, issue and recordkeeping procedures for registration officials.
What the circular does
Circular No. 47547/C1/2023 dated 3 September 2024, issued by the Inspector General of Registration of the Tamil Nadu Registration Department, gives instructions for issuing certified copies without stamp duty or other fees. The benefit follows G.O. (Ms.) No. 104 of the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department (J1), dated 3 September 2024, and is for people who lost original registered documents in flooding caused by the Michaung cyclone and Thoothukudi floods.
Who qualified
The free copy process was restricted to applications received on or before 2 September 2024. It covered:
- Applications collected through Tahsildars during special flood relief camps.
- Applications submitted directly to the Inspector General of Registration, Sub Registrar offices or District Registrar offices before the Government Order was issued.
- No new application received after 2 September 2024.
The issuing exercise was to be completed between 3 September 2024 and 3 October 2024, both dates included.
Checks before a copy could be issued
The concerned Sub Registrar had to:
- Confirm the document number, year and registration office records.
- Check the encumbrance details and confirm that the applicant had a subsisting right in the property.
- Verify the applicant's identity and obtain identity proof if none was attached.
- Check that there were no entries suggesting that the original document might be held as security, collateral, under a mortgage, by a power agent, or by an agreement holder.
- Confirm the genuineness of competing applications for the same document and reject duplicate applications with a valid reason.
For a property transfer document, the copy could be issued only to the claimant. For other documents, it could be issued to the executant. Only one copy was permitted for each document, with an acknowledgement from the recipient.
Effect on property records
Circular No. 47547/C1/2023 requires the Sub Registrar to sign and seal each approved certified copy with a certificate stating that it was issued free of cost under G.O. (Ms.) No. 104 and is admissible to prove the contents of the original document. The certified copy is to be accepted as the original for future registration purposes.
A note about the issue of the copy must also be added to Index II and reflected in the Encumbrance Certificate. The certificate must be linked to the scanned or manual record maintained by the Sub Registrar's office to help prevent future fraudulent registrations.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can I apply now for a free replacement of a document lost in the floods?
Circular No. 47547/C1/2023 covered only applications received on or before 2 September 2024. It directed officials not to accept new applications received after that date.
Will the certified copy be accepted for a future property registration?
Yes. After verification and certification by the Sub Registrar, the copy is to be treated and accepted as the original for future registration purposes.
Can two family members obtain separate free copies of the same document?
No. Only one copy could be issued for one document. If multiple applications were received, the Sub Registrar had to verify genuineness and reject the other applications with a valid reason.
Will the issue of the flood replacement copy appear in the Encumbrance Certificate?
Yes. The Sub Registrar must add a certificate about the issued copy to Index II, which will be reflected in the Encumbrance Certificate.
