BENGALURU: After issuing penalty notices to numerous e-khata holders for allegedly under-declaring parking spaces in their property tax filings, the BBMP has dropped a new surprise — even if you pay the penalty, they will not update the property dimensions in the e-khata.
Upset property owners are calling it a blatant exploitation. “They first accuse us of under-declaring our parking space. Now, when we agree to pay the penalty, they refuse to make any corrections. What’s the point of paying?” questioned frustrated homeowners. The silence from Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who oversees Bengaluru’s development, has also left them perplexed.
This situation could spark further disputes within the city’s apartment complexes. Many residents own multiple parking spots yet pay the same maintenance fees. If BBMP’s notices begin officially recognizing increased parking areas for some while excluding others, this may lead to conflicts over RWA dues, as noted by Anwar K from the central business district.
“This will create significant issues,” stated Priya Nair, a resident of Bellandur. “We’ve already had disagreements about parking spots. If BBMP acknowledges that certain individuals have more space but fails to amend the e-khata, it’ll only breed resentment. Those with fewer parking slots will demand that owners of multiple slots contribute more, and vice versa,” she told TOI.
Some property owners are questioning the legality of penalizing individuals without rectifying the records tied to those penalties. “If BBMP asserts that my property is larger than what I reported, updating the e-khata should be the logical next step. By refusing to do so, they are essentially extracting money without providing any benefit in return,” said Shashidhar Iyer, a retired bank employee from Jayanagar.
Vinay R, a resident on Old Airport Road, expressed frustration: “As a senior citizen, navigating these bureaucratic hurdles just to resolve paperwork is exhausting. Even if I pay the penalty, my parking space is unchanged in reality. Who do I approach for clarification?”
