Bengaluru Approves 60,000 b-Khata to a-Khata Conversions to Expedite Property Regularisation

Bengaluru’s municipal body, the Greater Bengaluru Authority, has approved 60,000 b-Khata to a-Khata conversions, with over 1.2 lakh applications received and more than 15,000 currently under process, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on February 11. This significant step is part of the city’s efforts to streamline property regularisation and enhance transparency in the real estate sector.

Shivakumar also unveiled a time-bound system to expedite the khata conversion process within 15 days, along with door-step delivery of e-Khatas. He emphasized that these measures aim to save citizens time, money, and the hassle of unnecessary visits to government offices.

“With doorstep e-Khata delivery, faster approvals, and time-bound conversions, the system is being redesigned to make the process more citizen-friendly,” Shivakumar, who is also the development minister for Bengaluru, stated. The government has also highlighted progress in streamlining building approvals, citing greater transparency and faster clearances through digital reforms. Over 12,000 sanction plans have been cleared for buildings, further boosting the real estate sector.

Earlier, the Karnataka Cabinet had approved the issuance of a-Khata certificates to b-Khata properties located in illegal layouts under the jurisdiction of urban local bodies. This decision applies to buildings, apartments, and flats, as Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil confirmed after the Cabinet meeting on January 8.

Patil clarified that a-Khata is issued only to properties developed in layouts formally approved by the relevant authorities, while b-Khata applies to units built in layouts that lack such statutory approvals. This distinction is crucial for property owners and developers to understand the implications of their property status.

In Karnataka, an e-Khata is the digital version of the official property account maintained by the local municipal authority. It records a property’s details, such as size, location, ownership, and tax assessment, and is essential for paying property tax and establishing legal ownership for civic purposes.

B-Khata, on the other hand, is a type of property record maintained by the city’s municipal corporation for properties that do not fully comply with legal and planning norms. These include buildings in unauthorised layouts, constructions without approved plans, or those lacking occupancy certificates. Although these properties are not entirely legal, owners are still required to pay property taxes, and their details are recorded for tax purposes.

An a-Khata, in contrast, is issued for properties that fully comply with government regulations, including approved layouts, sanctioned building plans, and the required certificates. Properties with an a-Khata are considered legally valid and eligible for bank loans, trade licenses, and property transactions without restrictions. This distinction is vital for property owners and buyers to ensure their investments are legally sound and secure.

The move to convert b-Khata properties to a-Khata is expected to bring a significant number of properties into the formal economy, improve tax compliance, and enhance the overall real estate landscape in Bengaluru. The government’s efforts to streamline the process and provide door-step services are likely to be well-received by citizens and stakeholders in the real estate sector.