Good news awaits property owners waiting to get khata certificates from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The agency is geared up to organise a three-day ‘khata mela’ from February 3 to 5. “We are expecting to generate a revenue of Rs 120 to Rs 150 crore by disposing of the pending applications for khata certificates,’’ said BBMP Special Commissioner (Finance) Jayaram Raipura.
The BBMP has made arrangements to organise the revenue mela at all its zones and revenue offices situated in Vijayanagar, Padmanabhanagar, Chickpet, Basavanagudi, Jayanagar, and BTM Layout.
“Mahadevapura zone leads the list in number of applications pending for khata certificates with 459 applications,’’ said Raipura.
The BBMP revenue inspectors will reportedly visit apartment complexes to encourage flat owners to avail the benefit of the event. The agency is yet to check 389 applications for khata certificates in the east zone, 326 applications in the east zone, 317 in the south zone, 302 in RR Nagar, 302 in Yelahanka, 125 in Bommanahalli, and 124 in Dasarahalli. There are 2,194 applications pending.
Many property owners who are running from pillar to post to get their khatas registered or transferred have welcomed the initiative.
Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar from Karnataka Home Buyers Forum Sanchalak said that the BBMP conducting the program was a very good initiative and would help a lot of home buyers.
It would also aid BBMP for property tax collection.
“I hope the BBMP will also do khata transfer of the apartment project land to apartment owners by doing a proper khata bifurcation/mutation according to undivided share of interest that each flat owner has received from builders/landowners through transfer of property during registration of sale deed,’’ said Padmanabhachar.
He said that flat owners in Karnataka are deprived of land rights as BBMP or BDA are not taking action to protect their interest. “Recently, OC was cancelled by BBMP for Sobha City. What happens to home buyers who have khata already? BBMP needs to streamline property management in Bengaluru,’’ he added.
Namma Bengaluru Foundation general manager Vinod Jacob said that citizens have a tough time procuring their khata as they face harassment from some officials. The program will help them get their khata without any problem, he said.
He also said that the mela was a win-win situation both for citizens and the Palike. “In the course of the mela, it will bring assets under property tax jurisdiction and there will be more property tax collection. Citizens who have not paid taxes for years should be issued notices,’’ he said.