BBMP model of 'B' khata to be extended to rural areas P M Raghunandan Bangalore

The State government is planning to introduce the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) model of ‘B’ khata system in rural areas across the State, in order to bring illegally formed residential properties under the property tax net.

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RD&PR) department has submitted a proposal to the government to allow it to issue ‘B’ khata in panchayat limits on the lines of the system being followed by BBMP. The proposal will soon be placed before the State Cabinet, seeking its approval.

However, the government has no plan to introduce this system in other urban local bodies of the State. Last year, the Urban Development department had mooted a proposal to introduce the system in Mysore city. But it was not implemented.

Under the ‘B’ khata system (also called ‘B’ register), unauthorised immovable properties (widely known as ‘revenue’ properties) will be brought under property tax assessment. Once the system is introduced, panchayat bodies will be empowered to issue ‘B’ khata after collecting property tax. Accounts of such properties, however, will be maintained separately (in ‘B’ register). Though ‘B’ khata is not a legally valid document for property ownership, it will be a proof to claim the ownership at the time of regularisation and obtain ‘A’ khata (which is a valid khata), officials explained.

A large number of properties on the outskirts of major cities and towns (also called gramtana sites) neither have legal status nor are they generating revenue for the government. They have been formed violating certain mandatory rules like changing land use pattern and without obtaining approval for layout plan.

Though a scheme to regularise illegally formed sites has been formulated long ago, the government has not been able to implement it. The State legislature had even approved an amendment bill for this purpose. But the government failed to frame rules for imposing penalty. The cutoff date for implementation of the scheme has now expired.

Gramtana sites

The RDPR department, sources said, also wants to allow registration of ‘B’ khata properties. The department may propose suitable amendments to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act. Currently, only those gramtana sites which have computer-generated khata (form 9 and 11) are allowed to be  registered. The ‘B’ khata system will ensure proper documentation of illegally formed sites. The RDPR wants to allow registration of such sites by introducing a separate form, officials explained.

The Department of Stamps and Registration is currently registering ‘B’ khata sites in BBMP limits.