Karnataka: Aadhaar-like OTP verification for PAN cards in land registration likely

Bengaluru: Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Wednesday that the government is mulling over introducing authentication of PAN cards through One Time Password (OTP) to prevent fraud in property transactions.

Gowda said this while piloting the Karnataka Stamp (Amendment) Bill in the Legislative Assembly. Gowda piloted five revenue bills in total. 

Explaining the verification during the sale deed, the minister noted that the verification was being carried out through Aadhaar and PAN cards and passports. 

“Since Aadhaar verification includes the OTP system, fraudsters prefer PAN and provide fake cards. Thus, I have requested the Income Tax Department to give us access to their database so that we can authenticate PAN cards. They have agreed orally,” the minister said. 

Gowda explained that currently, 46% of the transactors were using Aadhaar cards and another 46% were using PAN, while the remaining were using Passports.

He said the bill would bring in digital execution of deeds and introduce digital signatures and digital stamps. The bill was unanimously passed in the Assembly.

The Assembly also passed the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, which mandates the registration of General Power of Attorney (GPA) to transfer immovable properties. The revenue minister argued that the bill would help address the constant woe of several fake GPAs being produced to cheat original landowners. 

However, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka – also a former revenue minister – pointed out there were lakhs of revenue sites in GPA.

Responding to this, Gowda clarified that this procedure would only be initiated from the time when the Bill is passed and wouldn’t have a retrospective effect.