3-month drive to issue B khatas as a one-time measure

Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling in which states were pulled up over unauthorised constructions, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Monday that as a one-time measure, the state government will issue B-khatas to 30-32 lakh unauthorised properties in urban areas, excluding Bengaluru, from February 10 onwards for next three months on a campaign mode.

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of a day-long meeting with deputy commissioners here, Gowda asserted that the state government has no choice but to issue only A-khatas to properties going forward.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed us (Revenue Department) to launch a campaign  to issue on par with 'B-khata' documents to all those who have failed to register under 'E-khata'," he said  

According to him, as per the data released by the Urban Development department, around 55 lakh households or sites exist in urban local bodies limits barring Bengaluru city limits.

"Of these 55 lakh properties, around 21-22 lakh properties have already applied for E-khata, while the remaining around 30-32 lakh properties have not applied for the E-khata. Therefore, the CM, after reviewing our department, has instructed us to take steps to register these properties under the E-khata ambit and issue documents on par with B khata to all these properties," the minister explained.

Citing the apex court’s ruling, the minister further added that the ruling clearly has put the onus on the states to issue khatas (valid documents) and henceforth, no layout can be formed without prior approval of the respective government departments. "This will reduce the formation of illegal layouts in the state," he added.

Replying to a question, Gowda asserted that this scheme is not similar to that of Akrama-Sakrama. "We are also in talks with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj ministry to take a similar drive in the days to come in each gram panchayat level in the state," Gowda stated in response to a question.