BENGALURU: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar unveiled the “Bhoo Guarantee” scheme on Wednesday, intending to provide digitized property records to approximately 23 lakh property owners in Bengaluru, alongside a one-time settlement opportunity to convert B-Khata properties into A-Khata.
A-Khata signifies legitimate properties.
Moreover, he announced concessions for B-Khata holders, landowners, and homeowners impacted by planning violations, as well as relaxations under the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) regulations.
“This is a historic decision to provide Bhoo Guarantee (land guarantee) to 23 lakh people in Bengaluru city,” said Shivakumar, adding that “Nanna Khata, Nanna Hakku” (My Khata, My Right) signifies the commitment to deliver complete property documents directly to citizens.
In a press conference, Shivakumar, who oversees Bengaluru Development, called this initiative a significant administrative reform, noting that the government has digitized and scanned over 7,000 property-related files to combat tampering and corruption in land records.
Each property will be GPS-mapped and linked with Aadhaar details, including photographs of the site and the owner. Officials will physically deliver the records and provide an option for online downloads.
“We’ve ensured that no one has the opportunity to demand a bribe,” he stated.
Shivakumar highlighted that Bengaluru comprises around 16 lakh A-Khata properties and roughly seven lakh B-Khata properties, addressing ongoing complaints about misuse, corruption, and harassment in property documentation, particularly in poorly planned areas.
He noted many B-Khata holders struggled to access bank loans or sell their properties despite long-term residency.
Explaining the settlement outline, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that applications received within 100 days will allow B-Khata properties to be converted to A-Khata for just two percent of the guidance value, a significant reduction from the previous five percent.
“For those applying within this period and submitting the required documents, we will only require two percent. It’s a one-time concession,” he emphasized.
For a property valued at Rs one crore, the previous fee of Rs five lakh would now be reduced to Rs two lakh under the new scheme.
Special camps will be held every Saturday for three months starting May 16 in each Assembly constituency to facilitate applications and document verification.
“Every Saturday, our officials will assist in 50 locations across each constituency. People are encouraged to utilize this service to rectify their documentation,” he urged.
Officials will perform spot verification, GPS mapping, and document checks before issuing approvals, allowing applicants six months to settle payments after verification.
Shivakumar also introduced notable relaxations regarding setback violation norms for smaller properties, increasing permissible violations from five percent to 15 percent.
The aim is to regularize smaller sites, allowing residents easier access to water and electricity connections and bringing more properties into legal compliance.
Additionally, he discussed relief measures for BDA properties, noting that the previous government’s provisions had yielded minimal responses despite eligibility for over a lakh property holders.
The new settlement framework includes a 50 percent reduction in existing charges.
Properties previously charged 10 percent will now pay five percent, and similarly reduced rates apply to other slabs.
“This is a one-time settlement,” he reiterated.
Shivakumar announced that registration for newly built apartments in Whitefield would commence on May 15, with one-bedroom flats available for approximately Rs 51 lakh and three-bedroom units priced at about Rs 1.44 crore, with per square foot costs at Rs 6,686 and Rs 8,309, respectively. Registrations will be conducted online.
On infrastructure initiatives, the Deputy CM mentioned that the government is pushing ahead with significant tunnel road and elevated corridor projects to ease Bengaluru’s traffic issues, with bhoomi puja scheduled by the end of the month. The completion timeline for these projects is set at 18 months.
A twin tunnel corridor will be constructed from Hebbal junction into the city, while another elevated corridor will extend to Mekhri Circle. Increased congestion at Hoskote, Nelamangala, and airport corridors are being addressed with alternative routes, flyovers, and underpasses in consultation with defense authorities.
Concerning the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, Shivakumar stated that landowners have been offered a highly attractive compensation package, assuring that the government will not de-notify any land at minimal cost.
Various compensation options include commercial and residential reconstituted land, double compensation, and TDR benefits.
Shivakumar concluded by noting that over 1,077 km of roads in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, developed at a cost of Rs 631 crore, will soon be accessible to the public.
