Bengal launches AI-enabled app to curb land, property registration fraud

Kolkata: The West Bengal government has launched a technology-driven mobile application to prevent fraud and forgery in land, flat, and house registrations by introducing a mandatory identity verification mechanism for buyers and sellers.

The new app, named 'Apani', has been developed to address complaints of properties being sold or registered in the name of individuals without their knowledge. Under the new system, both buyers and sellers will be required to complete identity verification through the mobile application before the registration process can proceed.

According to a state government official, a two-week pilot project will begin next week in Chandernagore Municipality in Hooghly district. Based on the outcome of the trial run, the system will be rolled out across the state. The initiative will be implemented by the Directorate of Stamp Duty and Registration under the state Finance Department.

According to him, the state government aims to make this app operational across the state before the forthcoming festive season beginning with Durga Puja next month.

Under the proposed mechanism, buyers and sellers will receive an application number after submitting registration documents. They will then have to download the four-MB 'Apani' app and complete the verification process. After entering the application number, users will be required to blink twice while holding the phone in front of them. The app will transmit a verification message to a designated government portal, which can be accessed only by registrars and authorised registration officials.

Officials said the registration process cannot move to the next stage unless identity verification is successfully completed. However, buyers and sellers will have to physically visit the registration office to complete the verification process, as it cannot be done remotely from home.

Officials also said the system is developed such that it will be impossible to proceed to the next level of the registry process without completing the identity verification.

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