BENGALURU: The Karnataka Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj has issued guidelines for the design approval process for layouts on converted lands within gram panchayat limits but outside designated planning areas.
As stated, under Section 199(B) of the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2025, the appropriate authority—either the Gram Panchayat or a government-nominated authority—must secure prior approval from the competent planning authority with jurisdiction over the layout plan.
This approval is essential prior to issuing a new ‘khata’ or Property Identification (PID) number for construction-related sites, the statement noted.
Developers are mandated to submit an application in Form 1 along with the required documents to the gram panchayat, as outlined in Regulation 4(1).
According to the approved layout plan, owners must transfer all areas allocated for road widening, roads, parks, parking spaces, civic amenity areas, utilities, and other necessary facilities to the relevant Gram Panchayat at no cost through a registered relinquishment deed.
Additionally, as specified in Regulation 11, layout owners must perform all development tasks within the approved layouts in compliance with existing rules and according to the certified plans and estimates from relevant departments, including Panchayat Raj engineering, rural drinking water and sanitation, and ESCOM.
The department has also instructed gram panchayats outside local planning areas to ensure that design approvals and development works on converted lands comply with prescribed guidelines.
“They must also keep all necessary documentation related to the layouts and take appropriate measures to ensure these properties are tax-registered,” the statement concluded. PTI
