Viral Sach: Will your property be taken over by government if not registered in e-property pass book (EPPB)?

NEW DELHI: On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination currency notes will cease to be legal tenders from the midnight as part of a string of measures to fight black money. The Prime Minister declared a "decisive" war against black money and corruption while disclosing a raft of steps to assure commoners that their money is safe. Later, the PM said the war against corruption will not end with the current demonetisation exercise and that he would now target those owning benami property. "This (demonetisation) is not an end. I have more projects in mind to make India corruption-free. .... We will take action against 'benami' property. This is major step to eradicate corruption and black money ... If any money that was looted in India and has left Indian shores, it is our duty to find out about it," he had said. After Modi's address on 'action against benami properties', a message has gone viral on social media with reference to 'e-property passbook' (EPPB). According to the viral message, from April 1, 2017, all of your properties will become invalid for one year and you won't be able to sell or buy any until properties are not registered in the 'e-property passbook'. The 'e-property passbook' will be linked to your PAN card, the message said. "Owner has to personally report with ownership proof to Sub Registrar office where special officers will enter all your property details in the EPPB. Once listed in the EPPB your properties will become yours," the unconfirmed viral message said. The message further said that till March 31, 2018, all the properties will be entered in the EPPB and the government will take over those properties which are not entered in the 'passbook'. ABP News, while investigating the matter in its Viral Sach segment, found this message to be nothing more than a hoax. According to experts, no such concept exists in our country or anywhere else in the world. Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Urban Development of India, rubbished this message terming it just a rumor. "I have no such information. It's just a rumor," Naidu said. We urge you not to believe in such messages. (With PTI inputs)