Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sought the government’s nod for conversion of B khata properties to A khata as part of its measures to increase revenue flow and ensure uniformity in the property tax collection mechanism.
A proposal to this effect was mooted in the budget approved by the BBMP council on Monday. Khata is a revenue document that records details about the property, including size, location and built-up area, and makes the owner liable for payment of property tax.
After the civic agency expanded in 2007, many illegal constructions in newly added areas came under its ambit and a separate register was maintained to collect tax from such properties, which came to known as B khata register.
According to BBMP officials, 5.3 lakh properties are registered under B khata. The Palike hopes to mobilise over Rs 1,500 crore revenue by converting B khata properties to A khata, which is equated to a certificate for legal compliance.
Officials maintain the conversion will help B khata property owners, who are finding it difficult to establish building ownership, get bank loans and civic benefits.
However, a section of corporators and urban planners oppose the move, saying it’s nothing but regularisation of illegal constructions in the city. “The issue is already in court and we should not be touching this topic by giving it a different name,” said a BJP corporator. Opposition leaders in the council too said the government should not go ahead with it until BBMP elections are over.
However, Palike authorities maintained khata conversion will not cover properties with building plan violations and those constructed on unauthorised layouts.