Bengaluru, Oct 15 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shivakumar, announced the launch of a significant 100-day initiative starting November 1 aimed at transforming B khatas into A khatas within the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Shivakumar stated, “The state government has made a landmark move to shift B khathas to A khathas. This program will benefit approximately 1.5 million property owners in Bengaluru, making it a revolutionary scheme aimed at purifying the property market,” following the unveiling of an online platform for B khata to A khata conversions at Vidhana Soudha.

He emphasized that this initiative serves as the sixth guarantee and a Diwali present from the Congress-led administration in Karnataka.

“The new scheme covers properties up to 2,000 square meters, requiring CAD drawings and other documentation for each property transitioning to A khata. The campaign will persist for 100 days commencing November 1, with officials visiting properties to facilitate conversion services, provided owners register online and pay a nominal fee of Rs 500,” he elaborated.

Additionally, property owners will need to contribute 5 percent of the current guidance value for conversions, as the government aims to provide essential infrastructure to these regions. A revised fee structure will be communicated after the 100-day period.

To streamline this process, two help desks will be established in each of the five corporations, and registrations can also be conducted at Bengaluru One. Importantly, property owners will not incur any additional payments for this service,” he noted.

The Deputy Chief Minister further explained that B khata owners are unable to secure construction permissions until their properties are converted. Notably, multi-story buildings situated on B khata lands will not be eligible for A khata conversion. The fees associated with buildings will be determined later, and officials will photograph properties for documentation post-registration.

“For the first time in Bengaluru, we are implementing a standardized khatha system, resolving longstanding issues related to e-khatas. The digitization of properties has been accomplished, marking initiatives that haven't been undertaken in the past five decades. This represents the sixth guarantee from the government, as we aim to restore rights to the citizens,” asserted Shivakumar.

Among the 2.5 million properties in Bengaluru, 750,000 currently hold B khatas, with an additional 700,000 properties ineligible for B khata. This initiative will enable easier loan acquisition for individuals, as banks have been reluctant to approve loans for B khata properties. Only lands classified as B khata will be regularized; buildings constructed on these properties will not be addressed.

Shivakumar mentioned that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has commended their digitization efforts, recognizing them as revolutionary. He expressed gratitude towards all those involved in this initiative.

When questioned about the declaration of private roads as government property, he responded, “We will consider it a government road even if just one property exists there. Many gated communities have failed to transfer land designated for roads to the government, and we are rectifying this issue.”

On the anticipated revenue from B khata conversions, he remarked, “We will understand the financial implications once property registrations conclude.”

In response to inquiries concerning threats directed at Priyank Kharge, he stated, “The greater the strength, the more adversaries arise, and vice versa.”