Will Parameshwara continue Byre Gowda’s anti-graft reforms after revenue reshuffle?

Bengaluru: The transfer of the revenue department portfolio from Krishna Byre Gowda to deputy CM G Parameshwara has triggered a key question for lakhs of citizens who deal with land, registration and revenue offices every day: Will reforms introduced over the past three years continue?

The revenue department has for long been associated with lobbying, corruption and political pressure and Byre Gowda, who has now been allotted the Bengaluru development portfolio, had introduced a series of measures to overhaul the system.

One of the most significant reforms was counselling-based transfer system in the stamps and registration department. Introduced on a pilot basis in 2024 and later institutionalised, the system now requires officials to choose postings through a transparent digital process rather than through recommendations and political influence.

Under the proposed policy, sub-registrars who spent five of the previous eight years in lucrative urban postings, especially Bengaluru, face compulsory transfers. Similar norms apply to first division assistants and stenographers. Despite resistance from employees, who cited hardships related to family and children’s education, the govt projected the move as a major anti-corruption measure.

The future of the reform is already under scrutiny. Karnataka State Stamps and Registration Department Officials’ Association has sought amendments to the draft Karnataka Civil Services (Counselling Based Transfers in Stamps and Registration Department) Rules, 2026. In a representation to the department, the association sought exemptions for recognised association office-bearers and officials nearing retirement.

While supporting the move, the association said some provisions could create confusion and legal disputes. “The draft rules must be modified in the interests of justice, administrative fairness, cadre protection and smooth functioning of the department,” said BH Shankare Gowda, association president.

Byre Gowda’s tenure also saw an aggressive push towards digitisation. The department undertook large-scale scanning of historical records, expanded online services and sought to reduce citizens’ dependence on middlemen. Crores of pages of revenue records were digitised with the objective of making them tamper-proof and easily accessible.

Officials say the pace of some initiatives appeared to slow in recent months after opposition BJP alleged the minister had illegally grabbed more than 21 acres of land in Kolar district, including parcels allegedly classified as a lake and graveyard.

Byre Gowda strongly denied the claims, insisting the property was legally inherited from his grandfather and publicly challenged BJP to seek an independent inquiry. His supporters said the allegations were orchestrated by disgruntled sub-registrars upset with his reforms.

Transparency activist N Somashekar said technology can improve transparency only if successive administrations remain committed to reforms. “Byre Gowda’s digital reforms have made several services easier, but many officials cite technical glitches, server failures and digital delays to extract money from applicants,” he said.

Farmer leader C Mallesh noted that the revenue department remains one of the state’s most influential departments because it handles land records, mutations, conversions, and registrations, but it is also seen as the most corrupt.

“Any weakening of transparent transfer policies or digital safeguards will immediately come under public scrutiny,” Mallesh said. “Parameshwara’s challenge is to reassure citizens that reforms aimed at curbing corruption and improving service delivery will continue. People want continuity in governance, irrespective of who heads the department.”