The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced the removal of the encumbrance certificate (EC) requirement for e-khata applications, aiming to simplify the process for property owners in Bengaluru. This change eliminates delays and fees, particularly affecting properties registered before 2004. Special Commissioner Munish Moudgil noted that the EC will still be required for property sales and registrations. The BBMP has also made draft e-khatas available online for about 2.2 million properties, facilitating easier access to property records. Despite some technical challenges reported by residents, the initiative has garnered significant public interest, with nearly 500,000 downloads in just 24 days.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced the removal of the mandatory requirement for an encumbrance certificate (EC) in e-khata applications. This decision aims to simplify the application process by eliminating the need for property owners to secure an EC, which often incurs delays and fees of up to INR 5,000, particularly for properties registered prior to 2004. However, the EC will still be necessary for property transactions involving sale and registration.
Recently, BBMP made draft e-khatas accessible online for nearly 2.2 million properties, enabling residents to retrieve their property records conveniently. The online portal allows applicants to submit necessary documents, including the registered deed number, Aadhaar e-KYC, self-assessment scheme (SAS) application number, and a property photograph to finalise their e-khata. This initiative provides residents the opportunity to acquire their e-khatas from home, eliminating the need to visit the assistant revenue office (AROs) at the BBMP ward office.
Despite these intentions to streamline the process, some residents have reported ongoing issues with the BBMP's online portal, particularly for properties with older registrations.
In the 24 days following the introduction of the new faceless and contactless online e-khata system, nearly 500,000 draft e-khatas were downloaded by citizens. The platform, accessible at www.bbmpeAasthi.karnataka.gov.in, recorded around 4 million site visits, demonstrating considerable public interest. Prior to launching the system for a pilot run, BBMP had digitised data for 2.1 million properties within its jurisdiction. So far, 23% of property owners in Bengaluru have accessed their e-khatas. Moudgil noted that the number of downloads is expected to rise with the removal of the EC requirement. Once this adjustment is fully implemented, BBMP plans to initiate a door-to-door campaign to further inform citizens about the benefits and accessibility of e-khatas.
The BBMP's removal of the encumbrance certificate requirement marks a pivotal step toward easing property transactions in Bengaluru. By streamlining the e-khata application process, the civic body is addressing long-standing barriers that have hindered property owners, particularly those with older registrations. Although some residents continue to face challenges with the online system, the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong demand for improved accessibility. As BBMP prepares to enhance its online services and educate citizens through outreach initiatives, this change promises to significantly benefit property owners, ultimately contributing to the city's ongoing development and modernization efforts.
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