K'tka launches new digital agri land conversion service

The time limit for the conversion has been fixed at 60 days.

Karnataka on Wednesday launched a service that allows agricultural landowners to have their land converted for non-agricultural use in a hassle-free, online system.

This affidavit-based land conversion system will significantly cut delays in the process, Revenue Minister RV Deshpande said after launching the service. “I believe Karnataka is the first Indian state to introduce something like this,” he said.

Under the online system, applicants need to submit the latest record of rights, tenancy and crops (RTC), a copy of the mutation record, an 11E sketch (only if there are multiple landowners) and an affidavit on a Rs 200 stamp paper.

“Converting agricultural land for the non-agricultural purpose had several problems, including lack of transparency, and it took anywhere between six months to one year. Citizens were also required to submit 20-25 documents such as no-objection certificates from various departments and agencies,” Deshpande said.

“Once the application is filed online, it goes to the departments concerned. The time limit for the conversion process is now fixed at 60 days,” the minister said. “This is a historic reform,” he added.

In the new system, citizens can generate an affidavit online by visiting landrecords.karnataka.gov.in/citizenportal and fill up the required information. The applicant will have to print the affidavit on a Rs 200 stamp paper and notarize it. The notarized affidavit can be scanned and uploaded on the portal.

The application will be routed electronically to all concerned departments for their opinion, for which a 30-day time limit has been fixed. If the departments failed to submit their opinion within this time frame, the application will be processed for land conversion on the presumption that there is no objection.

The deputy commissioner, after collecting the required fee from the applicant, issues a digitally-signed land conversion order or endorsement within 60 days from the day the application is filed. The conversion order can be downloaded from the portal.

“We have, as much as possible, tried to reduce human intervention in the process,” Deshpande said.

In November 2018, Karnataka launched an online service allowing citizens to apply for registration of property documents and also book an appointment online at the convenience of their homes in order to avoid queuing up outside sub-registrar offices. The government has also made encumbrance certificates (EC) available online. These services are available at kaverionline.karnataka.gov.in