Punjab Government under CM Bhagwant Mann announces cooperative housing reforms with affordable registration, capped fees, and secure property rights.

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has implemented significant citizen-centric reforms to benefit inhabitants of Cooperative Housing Societies in a historic ruling intended to bolster property rights and resolve long-standing legal ambiguities. The Government has approved a comprehensive framework to make cooperative housing property registration affordable, secure, and legally sound while guaranteeing the State’s rightful recovery of stamp duty, in accordance with the directives of the Chief Minister, who also oversees the Cooperation Department.

The Punjab government has taken significant measures to formalize real estate transactions in cooperative housing societies, many of which had been unregistered for decades, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), which shared details of the decision. In order to protect the State’s revenue interests and guarantee that real estate transactions in cooperative housing societies are legally secure, formally registered, and reasonably priced for citizens, the Chief Minister has authorized a package of amendments, according to the statement.

The Chief Minister’s office explained the main clauses, stating that Cooperative Housing Societies have been fully exempt from stamp duty on instruments of original allotment executed in favor of its founding members. The CMO stated that “such registrations will be permitted at face value, with only a nominal registration fee payable.” To guarantee that genuine successor cases are fully protected, the same exemption has also been extended to legal heirs, spouses, and eligible family members, as defined and notified by the Department of Revenue.

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The government announced on January 12, 2026, exceptionally favorable, time-bound stamp duty rates for non-original allottees and transferees in order to help thousands of households obtain clear legal title to their houses. Stamp duty has been set at 1% for registrations made up until January 31, 2026, 2% for registrations made up until February 28, 2026, and 3% for registrations made up until March 31, 2026, in accordance with this ruling. Normal stamp duty rates will be in effect after this time, according to the CMO.

The Punjab government has also imposed a clear statutory cap on the transfer costs that Cooperative Housing Societies may demand, the CMO added. The CMO explained that these reforms were necessary because many properties in cooperative housing societies had remained unregistered for years, leaving families without clear legal ownership and exposing them to disputes and litigation. “This measure ensures that members are not subjected to arbitrary or excessive demands at the time of transfer or registration,” the CMO said.

Noting the initiative’s impact, the CMO stated that the reforms guarantee citizens legally secure ownership, allow the State to lawfully recover stamp duty, encourage registration through incentives rather than coercion, and shield members from irrational transfer fees imposed by societies. To guarantee the seamless and consistent execution of these measures, the Department of Cooperation has already given Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Registrars throughout Punjab comprehensive instructions.

The Chief Minister has asked all eligible residents of cooperative housing societies to take advantage of this brief opportunity, register their conveyance deeds, and protect their property rights, the CMO stated in an appeal to citizens. “This program demonstrates the government’s dedication to safeguarding the average citizen while guaranteeing legal, open, and orderly real estate transactions throughout Punjab,” the CMO said.