The Karnataka government has made e-khata mandatory for property registration starting in October to battle fraud, urging property owners to obtain it quickly as physical khatas will be phased out. Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda highlighted that the e-khata system, already in 12 districts, will expand statewide. To aid this transition, the revenue department has digitised property records and will collect GPS coordinates as unique identifiers for each property. Additionally, the government is expediting applications to regularise Bagar Hukum land, with 160 committees handling 9.8 lakh applications, while 81.8% of land parcels are now linked to Aadhaar.
The Karnataka government announced that e-khata will become mandatory for property registration starting in October, aiming to reduce fraudulent property transactions. Property owners have been advised to obtain their e-khata promptly to facilitate seamless transactions, as physical khatas will be phased out. Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda mentioned that while the e-khata system has already been implemented in 12 districts, it will be rolled out statewide in October. He noted that the digitised khata is referred to as e-swathu in rural areas and e-aasthi in urban areas, urging people to complete this process as soon as possible for smoother property dealings.
To support this transition, the revenue department has digitised property records in all 31 districts. As part of the new system, staff from the corporation or revenue department will visit properties to collect GPS coordinates, which are essential for obtaining the e-khata. These coordinates will act as a unique identifier for each property, allowing for faceless and contactless online delivery of e-khata services.
In a related initiative, the government is fast-tracking the processing of applications to regularise Bagar Hukum land parcels by forming 160 committees to manage 9.8 lakh applications. The aim is to complete all applications within eight months. Additionally, the current effort to link Aadhaar with RTCs (records of rights, tenancy, and crops) has resulted in 81.8% of the 4.9 crore land parcels being connected to Aadhaar. This includes 61 lakh parcels converted for non-agricultural purposes and 4.8 lakh parcels associated with deceased owners.
In summary, the Karnataka government's push for e-khata and the digitisation of property records represent a significant modernisation of property registration processes. By facilitating online transactions and introducing GPS coordinates for unique identification, the initiative aims to enhance transparency and reduce fraud in real estate dealings. The formation of 160 committees to expedite the regularisation of Bagar Hukum land underscores the government's commitment to addressing land tenure issues efficiently. Moreover, the linkage of land parcels to Aadhaar reflects a broader goal of integrating technology into governance, ultimately streamlining property transactions and fostering a more organised real estate environment in the state.