The Maharashtra government has approved a waiver of stamp duty on the first registration of enemy properties, a move aimed at improving buyer participation and unlocking long-dormant assets across the state. The decision, ratified during a cabinet meeting, is expected to lower transactional costs and make auctions of such properties more attractive to potential investors.
Enemy properties, which are left behind by individuals who migrated to countries considered hostile during wartime, have historically seen limited interest due to high costs associated with registration and other fees. Managed by the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), these assets are sold through state-sanctioned auctions, but officials note that low participation has slowed their monetisation. A senior state revenue official explained that the stamp duty waiver at the point of first registration addresses one of the major barriers for buyers. “High upfront costs have deterred bidders, leaving many properties unsold for years,” said the official. “By reducing these financial hurdles, the government expects more competitive participation in upcoming auctions, ultimately releasing economic value locked in these properties.”
The waiver applies to the initial registration post-issuance of a sale certificate, meaning buyers will not have to pay stamp duty when they first acquire these properties through official channels. Industry analysts anticipate this could stimulate the market for commercial and residential enemy properties, particularly in urban centres where land scarcity and high property prices make low-cost acquisitions attractive. Urban planners and real estate experts suggest that bringing these properties into productive use could have wider economic and civic benefits. “Reviving idle enemy properties can contribute to commercial development, employment generation, and more efficient utilisation of city land,” said an urban affairs analyst. They also noted that while the move does not change legal ownership processes, it could reduce delays and administrative friction in property transfers.
Despite these potential benefits, experts caution that successful implementation will depend on clear communication to potential buyers and robust auction mechanisms. The CEPI will need to ensure transparent processes and accurate property valuations to avoid disputes or speculative behaviour. By incentivising buyers, the Maharashtra government aims to convert historically underutilised assets into functioning properties, potentially expanding urban economic activity and improving municipal revenue streams. The stamp duty waiver marks a strategic policy step to balance historical property rights with contemporary urban growth imperatives.
Maharashtra Government Eases Purchase Rules Enemy Assets
