GBA cuts ‘B’ khata conversion charges to 2% for 100 days

The one-time relief comes at a time when the GBA has been receiving poor response from owners of ‘B’ khata properties ever since it was first rolled out 6 months ago.

Bengaluru: Amid poor response from citizens for converting their properties from ‘B’ khata to ‘A’ khata, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has announced a 60% discount that will be applicable for 100 days starting May 15.

Announcing what he described as a “one-time” relief, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said ‘B’ khata properties will now be charged 2% of the guidance value instead of 5%, provided owners apply within the next 100 days.

“So far, a property valued at Rs 1 crore had to pay Rs 5 lakh for the conversion of ‘B’ khata. The fee will now be reduced to just Rs 2 lakh. About 7 lakh ‘B’ khata properties can make use of this scheme,” Shivakumar said, adding that the scheme does not come under the ambit of “Akrama Sakrama”, on which the Supreme Court has ordered status quo.

He said the GBA would charge 5% of the guidance value for all applications received after the 100-day period.

The one-time relief comes at a time when the GBA has been receiving poor response from owners of ‘B’ khata properties ever since it was first rolled out around six months ago. So far, about 7,000 citizens have applied. However, not all applications are eligible for ‘A’ khata, as the GBA has drafted internal guidelines to reject properties built on land earmarked for roads, storm water drains and other public infrastructure.