MYSURU: Property owners can breathe easier as significant progress has been made on the e-khata issue. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are accelerating approvals and minimizing backlogs.
In response to a question from Chidananda M Gowda in the legislative council last week, Municipal Administration Minister Rahim Khan disclosed that 700,899 e-khata applications have been submitted statewide. Out of these, 653,989 have already been approved, leaving 45,910 still pending. He noted that several ULBs have achieved a status of zero pending applications.
In Mysuru district specifically, 14 ULBs processed 72,184 applications, with 62,277 approved. Additionally, 3,143 applications were rejected for various reasons, as stated by Khan.
The e-khata process experienced delays in July due to technical challenges, but officials report that most issues have now been addressed. Property owners can apply for e-khatas at Karnataka One centres.
Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif mentioned that efforts have been intensified to streamline the process within city limits. “Property owners can now apply for e-khatas online via Karnataka One centres. However, applications can be delayed if an incorrect GIS number is submitted. We are working to resolve this issue,” he said.
To address public concerns, the corporation will conduct grievance redressal meetings every Friday, during which senior officials will be present to assist residents.
Asif emphasized the importance of the e-khata initiative in improving tax compliance, stating, “This will facilitate more efficient property tax collection. Owners must submit a photo of their property, allowing discrepancies between documents and images to be identified. For example, if someone is paying tax for a single-storey structure that is actually a duplex, it will be uncovered,” he explained.
Despite the advancements, some stakeholders believe the system needs further improvements. Former Mysuru Mayor M Shivakumar advocated for a more user-friendly and technology-driven strategy. He pointed out that in other states like Bihar, property owners can apply for e-khatas from their homes, following a scientific survey including data capture through drones. Conversely, property owners in Karnataka are still encountering challenges in securing e-khatas.
