‘A’ Khatas for tax-paying properties, moolah for BBMP

After years of confusion, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is set to fully legalise all the 'B' Khata properties in its jurisdiction. This means any property owner paying tax to the civic body will get 'A' Khata. The move will boost the BBMP's coffers.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad told the council meeting on Friday: "We propose to issue 'A' Khatas to all the existing 'B' Khata properties within our jurisdiction from the viewpoint of revenue mobilisation. We brought the matter to notice of the Urban Development Department and asked for an amended order to help us issue 'A' Khatas. The department has responded positively."

Prasad made the announcement after M K Gunashekar, the Jayamahal corporator, raised the matter. "Because of the confusion, officials are taking bribes while issuing 'A' Khatas. Owners of 'B' Khata properties are not getting bank loans," Gunasekhar said.

Khata is a document that shows a property owner having an account with the municipality for paying taxes. 'A' Khata is a fully legal property while a 'B' Khata denotes an illegal/semi-legal property.

Unassessed properties that regularly pay property tax are considered 'B' Khata properties. This apart, properties located on agricultural land that had not obtained land conversion certificates from the jurisdictional deputy commissioners or planning authorities like the BDA are also deemed 'B' Khata properties.

The BBMP could not carry out the move earlier as an amendment made to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act in 2008 had virtually stopped it from issuing 'A' Khatas to any property. But following pressure from elected representatives and the problems faced by 'B' Khata holders, the civic body has sought a fresh order.