Bengaluru, 13 May 

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday announced the "Bhoo Guarantee" scheme aimed at delivering digitised property records to nearly 23 lakh property owners in Bengaluru, along with a one-time settlement window to convert B-Khata properties into A-Khata.

A-khata refers to genuine properties.

He also announced a series of concessions for B-Khata holders, landowners and homeowners affected by planning violations, along with relaxations under Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) settlement provisions and town-planning regulations.

"This is a historic decision to provide Bhoo Guarantee (land guarantee) to 23 lakh people in Bengaluru city," Shivakumar said.

"Nanna Khata, Nanna Hakku" (My Khata, My Right) -- we will deliver property documents with complete records to the doorsteps of citizens," he added.

Addressing a press conference here, Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said the initiative marks a major administrative reform and that the government had digitised and scanned over 7,000 property-related files to prevent tampering, duplication and manipulation of land records.

He said every property would be GPS-mapped and linked with Aadhaar details, along with site photographs and owner photographs. The records would be physically delivered to citizens by government officials and representatives associated with guarantee schemes, while online download facilities would also be provided.

"We have made arrangements so that nobody gets an opportunity to take even one rupee as a bribe," he said.

Shivakumar said Bengaluru has around 16 lakh A-Khata properties and nearly seven lakh B-Khata properties.

The government had received repeated complaints regarding misuse, corruption and harassment in property documentation, particularly in revenue pockets and unplanned layouts, he said.

He added that many B-Khata holders have been unable to access bank loans, transfer ownership, or legally sell their properties despite living there for years.

Explaining the new settlement framework, the deputy CM said property owners applying within 100 days will be eligible to convert B-Khata properties into A-Khata by paying only two per cent of the guidance value, instead of the existing five per cent.

"If anybody applies within these 100 days and submits documents properly, we will take only two per cent. We are giving a 60 per cent concession. This is a one-time scheme," he said.

Shivakumar said for a property worth Rs one crore, where the earlier charge would have been Rs five lakh, applicants under the new window would need to pay only Rs two lakh if they apply within the stipulated period.

He noted that special camps will be organised every Saturday for three months starting May 16 across multiple locations in every Assembly constituency to process applications and verify documents.

"Every Saturday, in 50 places in each constituency, our officers will work. People should come and make use of this facility and correct their documents," he said.

Officials will conduct spot verification, GPS mapping and document scrutiny before issuing notices and approvals. Applicants will be given six months to complete payment after verification.

Shivakumar also announced a major relaxation in setback violation norms for smaller sites.

"At present, there is permission only up to five per cent violation. We have exempted the violation up to 15 per cent," he said.

He clarified that the relaxation is mainly intended to regularise smaller sites and enable residents to obtain water and electricity connections, bringing more properties into the legal framework.

Shivakumar also announced certain relief measures relating to BDA properties.

According to him, earlier provisions introduced during the previous BJP government had seen poor response, with only around 570 beneficiaries availing the scheme despite eligibility extending to more than one lakh property holders.

Under the revised settlement structure, applicants will receive a 50 per cent reduction in existing charges under various slabs.

Properties earlier required to pay 10 per cent of the guidance value will now pay five per cent, while those under 25 per cent, 40 per cent and 50 per cent slabs will now pay 12.5 per cent, 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

"This is a one-time settlement," he said.

Shivakumar also announced that registration for newly constructed apartments in Whitefield would open from May 15.

He said one-bedroom flats of 760 sq ft would be available for around Rs 51 lakh, while three-bedroom units of 1,733 sq ft would cost about Rs 1.44 crore, with pricing around Rs 6,686 and Rs 8,309 per sq ft respectively. Registrations will be done online.

On infrastructure development, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government is pushing major tunnel road and elevated corridor projects to address Bengaluru's traffic congestion.

"For these projects also, this month-end itself, I am doing bhoomi puja. We have directed that these works should be completed within 18 months," he said.

He said a twin tunnel corridor will be developed from Hebbal junction towards the city, while another elevated corridor will extend up to Mekhri Circle.

He also pointed to congestion at Hoskote, Nelamangala and airport corridors, saying alternative diversions, flyovers and underpasses are being planned in consultation with defence authorities.

Regarding the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, Shivakumar said landowners had been offered one of the most attractive compensation packages in the country.

"At no cost will we de-notify this," he said.

He said the government has offered options including commercial and residential reconstituted land, double compensation and TDR benefits.

Shivakumar said over 1,077 km of roads in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, built at a cost of Rs 631 crore, will soon be opened to the public

NATIONAL BENGALURU