No more illegal layouts, says CM Siddaramaiah on 'B' khata drive

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holds a video conference with the DCs, project directors, municipality commissioners and chief officers of the municipal corporations and urban local bodies on the issuance of ‘B’ khatas in Bengaluru on Tuesday.  

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asked urban local bodies across the state to start issuing ‘B’ khatas to unauthorised properties as a “one-time measure” and ensure that illegal layouts do not mushroom. 

Those who have constructed unauthorised homes on revenue layouts or sites must not face inconvenience. We’ve come up with a one-time solution to give relief to the poor and middle class. All of them should get khatas in three months,Siddaramaiah said during a video conference with top officials from all urban local bodies. 

Unlike ‘A’ khatas given to legal properties, ‘B’ khatas are meant for unauthorised assets and allow the government to levy taxes. Owners with ‘B’ khatas can sell properties but may face hurdles in obtaining bank loans.

“We need to put an end to illegal layouts that have come up in cities, towns and villages. There shouldn’t be any scope for new illegal layouts to come up,” Siddaramaiah said in the meeting.  He noted that the law had been amended to stop the egistration of illegal layouts.  “These illegal layouts are availing municipal services, but aren’t paying any tax to the government. This has impacted the revenue of local bodies,” the CM said. “This is only a one-time measure,” he added. 

Stressing on the three-month deadline, the chief minister asked officials not to become complacent.

“If new illegal layouts come up, deputy commissioners and town & country planning officials will be held responsible. We’ll take indiscriminate action against you,” the CM warned.  Addressing a news conference, Municipalities Minister Rahim Khan described the government’s decision to issue ‘B’ khatas as ‘historic’.  Khan said: “For years, middle-class and poorer sections were being harassed. We all know how hard the poor strive to build houses. They didn’t have basic facilities.” 

The minister said around 50-60 lakh ‘B’ khata properties across the state, excluding Bengaluru, would benefit under the one-time measure. He said the new measure may bring in Rs 500 crore to Rs 600 crore in revenue to the government, in addition to Rs 1,500 crore coming from authorised properties.