GBA cuts B-khata property conversion fee to 2% as part of Bhu Guarantee

Bengaluru: In a major relief for property owners with B-khatas, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Wednesday reduced the fee for conversion to A-khata from 5% to 2% of guidance value under the state govt's newly launched Bhu Guarantee scheme. The move is expected to benefit owners of nearly seven lakh properties listed under the ‘B' category in the civic agency's property register. GBA, though, did not disclose the extent of revenue loss due to this reduction in khata conversion fee.Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar said the initiative is meant to serve as the Congress govt's sixth guarantee to the people of Karnataka, which is part of the ‘My Khata, My Right' movement that aims to deliver e-khatas at doorsteps.As part of the outreach, the govt will roll out the e-khata Open House, starting May 16. Camps will be held every Saturday for three months at 52 venues across the five city corporations. These camps will assist property owners with e-khata services, including new registrations, conversions, and grievance redressal.However, there was no clarity on whether those who have already paid the conversion fee will be reimbursed or compensated. Bhu Guarantee reflects the govt's efforts to digitise property documents and provide more than 23 lakh e-khatas in Bengaluru. This aims to provide digitised property documents supported by drone survey and GIS mapping, thereby enhancing transparency. Shivakumar, who announced that the three-month drive, said the move would help property owners regularise their holdings and gain access to legal documentation and financial services that are often restricted for B-khata properties.Highlighting the challenges faced by property owners, he said: "Many owners have built houses without a sanctioned plan and are now unable to sell their property or secure loans. We aim to bring relief to those seven lakh B-khata holders." According to official estimates, Bengaluru has around 16 lakh A-khata and seven lakh B-khata properties. Shivakumar noted that around 11,000 applications for regularisation of property status were received, of which, nearly 7,000 have been regularised after payment of 5% of guidance value.Points for gfx: * GBA cuts B-khata to A-khata conversion fee from 5% to 2% of guidance value * Nearly 7L B-khata property owners to benefit * Govt to launch E-khata Open House camps at 52 venues from May 16 * Drive aims to help owners regularise properties, access loans and legal documents * No clarity yet on refund for owners who have already paid 5% conversion feeBOX:Other measures:* The permissible limit for building violations has been increased from 5% to 15%. This relaxation is expected to enable more properties to qualify for regularisation of their properties by paying penalties. * A long-standing issue, where minor deviations prevented owners from securing occupancy certificates and utility connections, will now be resolved. * 18,000 sites to be distributed to landowners in Shivarama Karanth Layout. Sites can be obtained from May 15. A total of 3,052 farmers had given their lands for the creation of the Layout. * 1,900 houses constructed by BDA in Whitefield will be up for sale; applications will be received from May 15. * A 3BHK house, measuring 1,733 sq ft, will be available for around Rs 1.4 crore (at Rs 8,309/sq ft)