Bengaluru: The Karnataka govt has set a deadline of May 10 for owners of unauthorised properties in urban areas outside Bengaluru to secure B-khata, a temporary registration for properties that are not yet fully authorised. This one-time measure, aimed at increasing property tax collections, will not be extended beyond May 10.
On Tuesday, chief minister Siddaramaiah chaired a video conference with officials from the revenue and urban development departments to review the progress of the ongoing B-Khata drive, which began on Feb 10. The initiative is expected to bring a significant number of urban properties under the tax net, potentially generating Rs 3,500 crore in revenue for the state.
Khatas are official registers maintained by local bodies to collect property tax. While authorised properties receive A-khatas, certifying their legitimacy, unauthorised properties have long been excluded from the tax system.
“We are determined to put an end to the menace of unauthorised layouts and properties, which are cropping up in both urban and rural areas,” Siddaramaiah said. “There should not be any scope for the development of such layouts anymore, as we have enacted a legislation for the purpose. While these properties are not under the tax net, the govt is losing revenue and unable to provide amenities. The officials should understand this and work accordingly.”
The state govt had previously launched a three-month drive to regularise unauthorised properties, but progress has been slower than expected. To expedite the process, Siddaramaiah instructed officials to intensify efforts and ensure that the task is completed within the allotted time frame. He made it clear that no extensions would be granted after May 10, and warned of strict action against officials, including deputy commissioners of districts, if any unauthorised layouts emerged post-deadline.
“All should bear in mind that it is only a one-time measure. We will take strict action against officials, including the deputy commissioners of districts, if unauthorised layouts come up after the deadline,” he added, emphasising the need to eliminate the influence of middlemen and brokers in the process.
The govt’s aim is to protect the interests of the poor, who have bought sites and built houses in revenue layouts, while also boosting the state’s tax revenue.
The state intends to expand the B-khata scheme, which was previously introduced in Bengaluru, to the rest of the state. As of now, only 22 lakh of the 55 lakh urban properties (excluding Bengaluru) have A-Khatas, with efforts underway to convert these into e-Khatas. The goal is to issue B-Khatas for the remaining properties, potentially generating additional revenue for urban local bodies (ULBs), whose total property tax collection currently stands at just Rs 1,500 crore.
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“We’ll end the illegal layout menace by providing B-khata as a one-time measure. You’ve three months to complete this campaign. Unauthorized settlements in cities, towns and villages will no longer be tolerated. The drive will ensure people get civic amenities, and local bodies regain income. If illegal settlements re-emerge, officials like district collectors and urban planning officers will be held accountable. A one-time solution will be provided to facilitate the poor and middle class. Start issuing B-khata today.
Siddaramaiah | CM