Akrama-Sakrama: online process to start after a week

Citizens planning to apply online for regularisation of their properties under the Akrama-Sakrama scheme may have to wait at least a week as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to put the system in place.

The BBMP has already kept the hard copies of applications ready for those planning to submit them in person. These applications will be made available free of charge at all the 198 ward revenue offices of the Palike. The civic body will begin the process to implement the scheme after receiving the government notification, Mayor G Padmavathi told DH. The notification is likely to be issued in the next two to three days, she added.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad said that the online system will be in place in about a week's time. “We are working in this regard,” he said.  Once the online system is ready, citizens can log on to the Palike website (www.bbmp.gov.in) and submit the application forms.

Akrama-Sakrama scheme envisages one time regularisation of up to 50% setback and floor area ratio violations (FAR) in case of residential buildings and up to 25% in case of commercial buildings. Besides, illegally formed plots (without approval from planning authorities and without change of land use from revenue authorities) can also be regularised by paying penalty.

Affidavit must
Property owners have to submit an affidavit along with the applications, declaring that the property has been constructed or developed illegally. Senior BBMP officials said that they plan to hold zonal-level meetings soon to ensure that the scheme is implemented successfully and without any glitches.

The mayor said that the Palike expected a revenue of around Rs 400 crore to Rs 500 crore through Akrama-Sakrama scheme. The regularisation fee collected would be utilised for development of parks and major projects to be taken up by the Palike. According to affidavit filed by the BBMP in the high court, there are over 1.54 lakh illegal properties in the city.