MYSURU: Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is set to launch a three-month drive from March 1 to issue B-khatas for properties on revenue land and private layouts. An estimated 57,000 properties will be covered under the initiative, which aims to regularise violations and boost property tax collection.
A decision to this effect was taken, following a govt order in the wake of state passing a law to bring all urban properties under the purview of local authorities, besides levying property tax on unauthorised revenue settlements, aiming to increase tax collection. The move not only helps MCC but also the state govt with mobilisation of tax.
Currently, MCC has 1.8 lakh authorised properties, also known as A-khata properties. The state govt has set deadline to complete the issuance of B-khata registration process to all urban local bodies by May 10. The civic body has expedited the process of registration drive, and sensitising B-khata property owners to make use of this facility in all nine zones. As per an estimate, MCC has the highest number of such properties in zones 5, 8, and 9.
MCC (revenue) DC GS Somashekhar said MCC has geared up for B-khata issuance drive, and also planned to provide wide publicity to B-khata registration drive. B-khata is a temporary registration for properties, but they are not fully authorised. However, property owners can avail loans, buy, or sell their properties. It is a one-time measure aimed at increasing its property tax collections, he said.
As unauthorised properties have long been excluded from the tax net, the state govt brought a special law in Sept for B-khatas in the lines of BBMP. As per the orders, applicants must submit their applications offline, in a prescribed form No. 2, which is available at the zonal offices.
B-khata property owners must submit documents like a registered sale deed, title deed, encumbrance certificate, property sketch, recent paid tax receipts, possession certificate, identity proof, and additional documents like conversion certificate, improvement charges receipts, national savings certificate, building plan approval letter, approved site plan, occupancy certificate, khata extract certificate, tippani copies or survey sketch, and other property ownership, he said.
MCC commissioner Syed Tanveer Asif said that MCC has planned to bring all its unauthorised property holders, people who constructed houses in revenue sites, and other private layouts under the tax net by issuing B-khata. As the govt set only a three-month deadline, all property holders must make use of it.
Directions have been given to all zonal commissioners and revenue department staff to list out all B-khata properties in their limits, besides encouraging B-khata registration by taking door-to-door visits and spreading awareness among property holders by making mike announcements in all swachata vehicles. A helpline is also opened in all its zonal offices to help people with B-khata registration. The registration process will be officially launched by district minister soon, he said.
