How to obtain your property EC (Encumbrance Certificate) in Odisha

Wondering how to obtain your property EC (Encumbrance Certificate) in Odisha?

Recently I was also in the same state where I was trying to apply for the EC.  I was searching for the online option as everything is becoming digital now-a-days. While searching in the google, I came across the website https://www.igrodisha.gov.in/. 

In this website, you can apply for the online EC, the link is marked in red circle as above. You need to create your user ID and password, log in, navigate to the tile "Encumbrance Certificate" and then apply for the EC by providing all the information as needed.

That's what I also did. After filling the necessary details, I paid the required fee (Rs. 1750/- approx.) via online mode.

In the final confirmation page, it displayed the required message that my application was submitted. It advised to go to the sub-register office for document verification. I took the print outs.

On the next day, I visited the sub-register office (in front of BJB college, Bhubaneswar). I went to the said department and showed the documents as proof and the concerned staff approved it online. I got the EC certificate link immediately as shown below.

I downloaded the certificate. But to my surprise, it displayed the information what I entered. No EC related information appeared as shown below.

When I contacted the department personnel, he told that, no correction can be made as I applied it online. Also the money would not be refunded. It was a shocker for me.

He advised not to go for online and reapply offline. I followed the below process to get the EC offline.

1. Go to the xerox (photostat) shop in the court premise and buy the required EC form (It is called "General Search Application Form".)

2. Take the help of any lawyer around and fill in the required details. Don't forget to carry your patta and sale deed document from which the property details can be found out.

3. EC document is mainly for verifying how many times the property is sold and who is the current owner of the same. The search is being done for certain number of years, in my case, I applied the EC for 14 years.

4. Once the form is filled, go to the counter to deposit the required fee. Ask anybody in the court premise where the counter is as the court premise is messy all the time. Don't be trapped by any fraudulent lawyer, do it yourself. I deposited something close to Rs. 650/- (50 rupees approx. per year).

5. After the fee is paid, go to the computer department and submit the application form. Alternatively, you can leave the form at the fee counter itself and leave for the day. The next day you can come and collect your EC.

6. I chose to do it on my own as I needed it on priority. After paying the required fee, I submitted the application to the computer department. The person in charge told me to come after 3-4 hours to received the EC.

7. I came back after 4 hours, the computer person gave me the necessary challan and instructed me to deposit the processing fee of Rs. 40/- at the counter which I did as advised. After showing the fee paid receipt, I again went back to the computer department and collected my EC.

This time, the EC looked perfect. Also, the professional behavior of the sub-register department staffs were very much appreciated.

I would recommend to follow the offline method if you want to get your EC.

The online method is not fully perfect, it might evolve in future. Also, to fill the application form needs some support from the lawyer or a professional, which would make the process easy.

Hope the blog helps. Do comment for any suggestion to improve. Thank you.