Tag: Karnataka

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Karnataka’s hike in property registration fee sparks backlash

DHARWAD: The state government’s decision to raise property registration fees by 2% has provoked significant backlash from the public and opposition parties, which are now urging an immediate reversal. Deputy opposition leader Arvind Bellad criticized the Congress government’s “anti-people policies” that are adding to the burdens of citizens already facing rising costs. “The government has suddenly doubled the property registration fee. For low-income and middle-class families, this increase—raising stamp duty and registration charges to 7.6%—is a heavy burden,” he remarked, calling for a return to the previous rates. Citizens claim that the state government has used the guise of “better…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Karnataka HC Advocates for GIS Land Mapping in State

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has mandated the state government to create a unified technological platform using Geographic Information System (GIS) to provide a single, verifiable source for all land-related information. The court’s directive requires that the platform incorporates a GIS-based foundation, serving as a comprehensive and unalterable map of land parcels throughout the state. It will utilize high-resolution satellite imagery from the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to accurately demarcate and geo-tag all designated forest boundaries in accordance with historical gazette notifications. Additionally, it will monitor forest cover via remote sensing data…

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Karnataka Passes Bill to Regulate 15% Building Violations

BENGALURU: The Karnataka Assembly passed the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on Tuesday, allowing municipal commissioners to regularise unauthorized buildings by imposing penalties. This has drawn parallels with the Akrama-Sakrama scheme, which is still awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court. Urban Development Minister BS Suresha (Byrathi), while presenting the bill, stated that the amendment will only apply to unlawful structures that can be legalised under existing regulations. “This will not apply to buildings that have been slated for demolition,” he stated. Under the new provisions, municipal commissioners are empowered to issue occupancy certificates (OCs) for buildings that lacked commencement…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Karnataka: Online Registration for Allotted Land and Mortgages Approved

Representative image BENGALURU: On Wednesday, the assembly approved the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, enabling online registration of government-allotted land parcels with the sub-registrar’s digitized signature, eliminating the need for human involvement. The legislation also facilitates online registration for mortgage properties tied to bank loans and their release upon repayment. However, for transactions between private parties, the current requirement for the seller and buyer to be present before a sub-registrar remains unchanged. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who introduced the bill, highlighted that the goal is to streamline the registration process electronically for secure properties, including those allocated by agencies…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Karnataka Targets Illegal Layouts, Officials May Face Action

Representative image created by AI BENGALURU: The Karnataka Revenue Department has initiated a substantial campaign against illegal land developments, targeting unauthorized layouts established through the misuse of land laws. Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has instructed officials to identify and take strict action against officers involved in these violations. Across the state, valuable agricultural lands are being unlawfully converted into residential plots without the necessary approvals mandated by Section 95 of the Land Revenue Act. Developers are misusing “11E maps,” intended for legitimate partitioning, to subdivide land into smaller parcels, sometimes less than one gunta, and market them as part…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Karnataka HC: RERA-validated co-ops can manage apartments

By Sanjana CS BENGALURU: A significant ruling from the High Court on June 30 has brought much-needed relief to flat owners. The single bench’s decision supports a registered cooperative society of allottees who have faced challenges for over 11 years. Justice Suraj Govindaraj presided over a case highlighting disputes among apartment owners, agreement holders, and builders concerning the completion and maintenance of an apartment complex. It was revealed that builders had manipulated an unauthorized association for illicit activities, contesting a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) order. The High Court dismantled this facade and reaffirmed the RERA order, thereby reinstating authority…

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Karnataka Revises Setback Rules for Bengaluru Buildings

BENGALURU: In a significant development for future construction in the tech capital, the state government has amended the zonal regulations under the Revised Master Plan (RMP) 2015. Effective from August 1, this amendment introduces clear and updated setback norms for buildings, particularly those exceeding 12 meters in height. The term “setback” refers to the minimum open space required between a building and its property boundary. This has long been a contentious issue in urban planning within the city, where rapid vertical expansion has often outpaced regulatory guidelines. The new rules aim to clarify setback requirements based on building height and…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Centre Seeks Nod for Drone Mapping in 353 Karnataka Villages

Representative image created by AI BEGNALURU: The state government is making significant strides to expedite property surveys through the Centre’s SVAMITVA scheme, seeking approval from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to operate drones over 353 red zone villages. These villages are close to sensitive locations such as airports, military bases, and other high-security areas, requiring prior clearance for drone operations. This initiative is part of a broader plan to complete aerial surveys in all 30,715 villages by March 2026, aiming to establish legal ownership records and address rural land disputes. Union Panchayat Raj Minister SP Singh Baghel recently…

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Karnataka to Develop Policies Supporting Real Estate Sector

AI generated image for representation purposes. BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is dedicated to fostering a policy environment that bolsters the real estate sector, as stated by a senior official on Thursday. Karnataka Urban Development Department Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Giri Nath delivered the keynote at the second CII Karnataka Real Estate Conference here. “To develop Tier 2 and 3 cities as future growth engines, a robust transportation network, integrated urban planning, and aligned policy frameworks are vital,” he noted. Nath emphasized that as Karnataka experiences swift urbanization, it is essential to ensure that growth remains inclusive and carefully planned. “We…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Karnataka to Charge for Groundwater; Meters Required for All

BENGALURU: In a significant effort to manage groundwater resources and promote sustainability, the state government has introduced fees ranging from Re 1 to Rs 35 per cubic metre for various users of groundwater, including individuals, housing societies, commercial establishments, industries, and mining operations throughout the state. The fees will affect all types of residential complexes, group housing societies, as well as government bodies providing water in urban settings. Commercial entities and mining operations will also be subject to these new regulations. Moreover, the government has mandated that all residential and commercial property owners secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) prior to…