Software to apply for ‘B’ khata to be ready in 15 days

Bengaluru: With the state government clearing the way to regularise ‘B’ khata properties, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will launch an online system allowing property owners to apply for ‘A’ khata without visiting its offices.

The regularisation, however, applies only to land. Illegal buildings remain outside its scope as they fall under the Akarma Sakrama scheme, which is stayed by the Supreme Court.

BBMP Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao said that the online platform would be ready in 15 days. "We will first issue ‘A’ khata for eligible land, including revenue sites, as per the new standard operating procedure. Issues related to buildings will be considered later,” he said.

‘B’ khata, introduced in 2009 to bring more properties under the tax net, currently covers about 7 lakh properties in the BBMP limits.

While ‘A’ khata is issued to properties complying with all legal norms, ‘B’ khata applies to revenue sites up to 6,000 sqft, unauthorised buildings, and plots in unapproved layouts.

For now, the BBMP will issue ‘A’ khata only for revenue sites and plots in unapproved layouts. Illegal buildings will not be regularised, officials confirmed.

The government order, issued three days ago, outlines detailed guidelines for the BBMP. It states that ‘B’ khata will continue unless owners voluntarily apply for conversion, the site is accessible, and the construction is not illegal.

The order brings relief to owners of buildings or flats that had received ‘B’ khata solely because the land was a revenue site or part of an unapproved layout. The BBMP can now issue ‘A’ khata to such properties without requiring owners to visit the deputy commissioner’s office to convert the sites to non-agricultural use.