Undoubtedly, there are several issues with UPOR. But they can be solved if the public, specially the expert, can work with the government to help find a solution. Now with the latest blockchain technology, UPOR can be made even more robust and foolproof.

Sir,

This refers to the informative coverage of MGP’s monthly meeting on Urban Property Ownership Record (UPOR) in SOM dated July 9. MGP even got inquiries from Dubai seeking some more information.

Since UPOR can be a big boon to property owners in establishing their rights and also to use the Digital Property Cards (DPCs) for property-related transactions, many came to the meeting to get clarification. Apartment owners were happy to find out that they can now get DPCs since software problem has been resolved.

However, the residents of some areas like Kurubarahalli Survey No. 4, K.C. Layout and Siddartha Layout were not a happy lot since UPOR office has not got any updated information from the government.

It was not clear that when UPOR has information on most other properties in Mysuru, why an owner of a property who is not able to produce his title deed or lost it cannot get his DPC without going through an elaborate procedure. When the objective of UPOR is to simplify the procedure, why make them to run around the Sub-Registrars Office where no transaction can take place without “delay.”

Still it is to the credit of UPOR that most participants in the meeting were highly appreciative of the Office and how they are able to get their DPCs without having to bribe and also how the staff was courteous. How many government offices can claim such a status today? Let us hope such service will continue.

Undoubtedly, UPOR has several advantages. Still why is there opposition to such a brilliant idea? Why is the public skeptical of the merit of UPOR?

There was a question asked during the meeting whether UPOR alone could be used for property transaction even if one does not have other documents like title deed, encumbrance certificate etc. Though the response by UPOR Project Director in Mysuru Prasad Kulkarni was yes, public still continue to doubt it. Can government take steps to clear the doubts and promote the use of UPOR for property transactions as intended?

It is rather sad that when the government takes up progressive initiatives like using the latest technology to help the public with projects like Aadhaar, UPOR etc., it is the opposition from a tiny minority often with their hidden agenda that gets more prominence. Undoubtedly, there are several issues with UPOR. But they can be solved if the public, specially the expert, can work with the government to help find a solution.

Now with the latest blockchain technology, UPOR can be made even more robust and foolproof. Let us hope that the government will take up UPOR with all the seriousness and help the public with the world class tool to maintain property records.

– Bhamy V. Shenoy, MGP Convenor, Yadavagiri, 12.7.2018

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