JOIN USBBMP begins regularising revenue sites
The Palike issued a circular during the day ordering its revenue staff to collect the improvement and conversion charges for issuing ‘A’ khatas, thus providing a major respite to owners of over five lakh DC-converted sites.
The resolution to implement the improvement charges was passed in the BBMP Council last month leading to hopes among most revenue land owners could have a legal document certifying their ownership by paying the fee.
The calculation of the improvement charges was arrived at after a long-drawn legal battle between the State and the site owners who argued that rules were yet to be framed for the charges to be levied on properties.
However, on Monday, the Palike Commissioner Siddaiah issued the circular in anticipation of the amendment to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and framing of the rules, enabling the BBMP Revenue Department to begin collection of improvement charges from site owners.
The BBMP believes that the revenue in the form of improvement charges will help improve its parlous financial position. “We expect as much as Rs 300 crore to be collected by the end of the financial year 2010-11,” said P N Sadashiva, chairman of the Standing Committee on Taxation and Finance.
Meanwhile, the Council resolution for legalising the non-DC converted revenue land by empowering the BBMP to collect the conversion charges awaits the state government’s approval.
“Once we get the state government approval, we will be able to collect at least Rs 700 crore from the entire process. Moreover, people do not have to await for Akrama-Sakrama to legalise their land ownership,” informed Sadashiva.
According to the Circular, seven categories of land have been identified for the collection of improvement charges. However, the decision to implement the charges has not been well received by the Opposition. M Nagaraj, leader of the Opposition said that the ruling party has taken an unilateral decision in formulating the charges.
“We had demanded for a reduction in the improvement charges, but to no avail. We demand that the Mayor reintroduce the subject in the Council for discussion,” he said.
Permanent khata
A permanent khata helps the property owners to legalise his claim over the said property. He or she can obtain building plans from the BBMP and avail loans from financial institutions to build structures.
Qualifying properties
Land which can be given permanent khata by the BBMP by paying the Improvement fee:
- Properties converted for non agriculture purpose.
- Properties free from acquisition for infrastructure projects as per the Master Plan 2015.
- Layouts and industrial plots developed by KIADB, KSSIDC and KHB.
- Properties which have been regularised under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.