VISAKHAPATNAM

The Consumer Organizations Federation (COF) has strongly opposed the Andhra Pradesh government’s move to establish Registration Seva Kendras under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, citing data privacy risks and financial burdens.

Taking to X, COF State president Kandregula Venkata Ramana sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, demanding the immediate withdrawal of G.O. Ms. No. 396, issued on June 30.

Mr. Ramana argued that handling sensitive data like property transactions, wills, and asset distributions through private entities compromises citizen privacy.

He stated that equating registration with Passport Seva Kendras is flawed, as property deals involve high-value financial records and personal lineages prone to data leaks, adding that the unilateral G.O. violates Section 4(1)(c) of the RTI Act, which requires public disclosure of major policy changes.

Questioning the need for private players when the Public Data Entry (PDE) system already allows self-uploading, the federation noted that the new centres will levy an additional service fee of up to ₹2,000 per document. COF expressed concern that corporate employees might compromise confidentiality and fail to eliminate middlemen.

Instead of outsourcing, COF urged the government to upgrade existing State-run Sub-Registrar offices, many of which lack basic infrastructure and operate from rented spaces. Mr. Ramana criticised the broader trend of outsourcing public utilities, citing recent third-party transitions in RTC vehicle fitness checks and municipal services as violations of natural justice.

Published - July 08, 2026 08:51 pm IST