‘Wife’s name in registry’ rule set to go | Lucknow News

Lucknow: The Lucknow Development Authority has initiated steps to scrap a two-decade-old rule that made it mandatory for married men to include their wife’s name while registering properties. A proposal to amend the system has been sent to the state govt, which has responded positively and asked for a detailed report.Since 2001, men applying for registration of LDA properties—whether houses, shops, flats or plots—were required to compulsorily include their wife’s name. Unmarried applicants had to furnish an affidavit, while widowers needed to attach a death certificate of their spouse. Without these documents, registration was denied. The provision had long been criticised as impractical.Couples often live in different cities or countries for work, making it difficult for both to be present during registration. In cases of separation, disputes or lack of consent, the process became even more complicated, with no option to register the property in one person’s name. LDA officials had recommended amending the 2001 govt order to end the compulsion of adding the wife’s name. The state govt has agreed in principle and asked LDA to submit a detailed proposal with justifications. According to LDA official, “The rule created constant hurdles: couples in different cities or abroad couldn’t attend registry together, registrations got stuck in marital disputes or separation, there was no option to register property in a single name, and even bachelors or widowers had to file extra paperwork like affidavits or death certificates.”