JOIN USPalike reduces betterment charges
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council on Wednesday reduced betterment charges from Rs 250 to Rs 200 per sq mtr in 100 core wards of the City and from Rs 350 to Rs 250 per sq mtr in the remaining 98 wards, irrespective of the dimension of the plot. The decision was taken on corporators’ request.
On January 28, the Palike had fixed the betterment charge at Rs 350 per sq mtr for plots measuring up to 1,000 sq mtr and Rs 300 per sq mtr for plots measuring more than 1,000 sq mtr. The civic body had decided to collect betterment charge as part of a plan to regularise revenue sites converted for non-agricultural purpose and issue them ‘A’ Khatas.
The corporators welcomed the reduced rates and said the decision would ease the burden on citizens. Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said that an affidavit would be submitted to the court within a week about the revised rates.
He clarified that the Palike would handle only the legally converted lands and authorised buildings. “This move is similar to the Akrama Sakrama scheme. Unauthorised buildings and illegally converted plots will not be eligible for ‘A’ Khatas. Those will be dealt under the Akrama Sakrama scheme.”
Corporators of the ruling party pointed out that even the Kharab (waste) lands were being issued Khatas. Those should instead be handed over to the BBMP, they demanded. Since 2003, many houses built in non-approved layouts are enjoying the amenities without paying any betterment charges, they added.
Lakshminarayana clarified: “All the converted sites, and houses which have not flouted any building bylaws, including vacant and open sites, will come under the purview of betterment charges.”
‘Hire 4K workers’
Congress corporators staged a dharna during the Council meeting, demanding the immediate recruitment of 4,000 sanitation workers.
“The Palike has not bothered to recruit sanitation workers, despite a government order,” said Congress corporator, T Mallesh. “In addition, the services of 18,000 contract sanitation workers are to be regularised.” Mayor B S Satyanarayana and Lakshminarayana assured the corporators that a meeting workers would be held on Friday.