With the Revenue Department mandating e-Khata for property registration statewide, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has commenced the issuance of e-Khatas. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath announced the test launch of the faceless, contactless, and online BBMP e-Khata Issuance System on October 1, 2024.
As part of this initiative, draft e-Khatas based on existing BBMP records are available online at www.bbmpeAasthi.karnataka.gov.in, where citizens can download them.
To obtain a final e-Khata, citizens must submit additional details such as Aadhaar-linked KYC, GPS coordinates of the property, property photographs, the registered deed, encumbrance certificates dated from April 1, 2004, to the present and BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited) metre numbers. Additional documents may be required for A-Khata verification.
For those unable to provide the necessary documents online, there is an option to physically visit the jurisdictional ARO (Assistant Revenue Officer) for assistance in processing the final e-Khata.
A seven-day objection period will be provided for citizens to file concerns about the draft e-Khata, which will be reviewed and decided upon by the ARO. BBMP officials highlighted the importance of GPS data for each property as a unique identifier to ensure smooth, contactless e-Khata services. The pilot project is currently underway in two wards, where the e-Khata includes a photo of the building and the owner.
Officials stressed that digitising the khata process enhances transparency and accessibility. Khata, a crucial document containing property ownership and tax details, has historically been issued in paper format, which is susceptible to tampering. Digitising the process through e-Aasthi will safeguard the integrity of property documents, making it more convenient for property owners and buyers.
With the e-Aasthi platform, citizens can now verify ownership, and property details, and even download documents via DigiLocker. “The system will eventually include 42 new features, such as property and owner photographs, location details, and other property-specific data.
While the digitisation process is time-consuming, efforts are underway to digitise all properties in Bengaluru. The BBMP plans to tie up with Bangalore One Centre to facilitate citizen interactions and access to e-Aasthi details, initially in the east zone, for a nominal fee.
The initiative will help curb fraudulent activities by ensuring that revenue officials inspect properties in person, take photographs, and upload them. In peripheral areas, where digital systems are still being integrated, BBMP is following established procedures. Master trainers have already trained over 100 officials to roll out the project in the west and south zones.
Additional security features, such as biometric verification, may be introduced to further prevent tampering”, said an official.
It may be noted that in May 2022, the Anti-Corruption Bureau uncovered a widespread scam involving over 5,000 fake e-Khatas issued in and around Bengaluru, with areas like Kumbalgodu and Tavarekere being particularly affected. The scam was exposed following the suicide of a government official linked to the fraudulent activity. BBMP is now taking steps to prevent such incidents.
