The Karnataka government is addressing illegal land registrations, especially in high-value areas like Bengaluru, by integrating "e-khatas" or electronic land records for all properties. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced this initiative to enhance transparency and prevent illegal conversions of agricultural land. Responding to allegations of sub-registrar collusion with land sharks, Gowda highlighted that a new bill, pending the President's assent, aims to curb such activities. The government also addressed issues related to the regularisation of houses on government land and the usage of 'Kumki' land. These measures aim to protect legitimate property owners and ensure accurate land records.
The Karnataka government is taking significant steps to address illegal land registrations, which have been a long-standing issue, particularly in high-value areas like Bengaluru. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda recently announced that the government is integrating "e-khatas," or electronic land records, for all properties, including those under rural revenue and Ashraya housing schemes. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and prevent the illegal conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial properties.
The remarks came during an assembly session in response to allegations made by BJP's S.R. Vishwanath. Vishwanath claimed that sub-registrars are colluding with land sharks to illegally register around 150 properties each day, with total financial transactions reaching approximately INR 30-35 lakh. This widespread issue raises concerns about accountability within land registration offices and the potential complicity of officials involved.
Minister Gowda acknowledged the existence of illegal activities within sub-registrar offices and noted that a bill aimed at amending current laws to combat these practices has been passed in the previous assembly session. However, it is currently awaiting the President's assent. "Once the law is enacted, it will significantly restrict such transactions," Gowda stated. The integration of e-khatas will streamline property records into a centralised system, making it more difficult to disguise the status of land usage.
To further complicate matters, members of the assembly raised concerns about the ongoing regularisation of houses built on government land. Despite demands for an extension of the deadline for submitting applications under Sections 94C and 94CC, which aim to offer legitimacy to these structures, Gowda declined the request, emphasising that the deadline has already been extended five times in the last eight years.
In addition, the minister addressed the issue of 'Kumki' land, which refers to government land that borders private agricultural properties. Several MLAs requested that these lands be sanctioned to individuals currently using them. However, Gowda clarified that current regulations prevent the transfer of such government lands to private ownership. He mentioned that a cabinet subcommittee formed during the previous BJP administration had reached a similar conclusion, suggesting that a possible alternative could be to provide these lands on a lease basis.
The government's actions come amid growing public concern about land fraud that threatens legitimate property owners and impacts urban development. The integration of e-khatas is seen as a crucial step towards limiting illegal land conversions and fostering a more updated and accurate land record system in Karnataka. By making land registration processes more transparent, the government hopes to protect both agricultural land and the rights of honest property owners in the state.
The ongoing discussion in the assembly highlights the intersection of real estate, governance, and accountability. As the government works to implement these changes, it will be crucial to monitor their effectiveness and ensure that enforcement measures are in place to deter illegal activities. In an era where urban expansion is inevitable, safeguarding agricultural land while providing for the needs of urban development presents a challenge that the Karnataka government aims to address with its latest initiatives.
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