The Hindu 08.02.2011
BBMP begins collecting improvement charges
B-khata (provisional khata) owners can now heave a sigh of relief. The
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced it would start
collecting improvement charges to issue permanent khata from Monday.
Commissioner Siddaiah issued a circular and directed
officials of the BBMP’s Revenue Department to collect the improvement
charges from residents.
The order has been issued in anticipation of the amendment to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and framing of rules.
By paying the requisite charges, site owners who only
have B-khata can obtain a permanent khata, which will help them avail of
loans and get their building plans approved by the BBMP.
The BBMP had stopped issuing khata to sites in layouts
which had been formed without land conversion and approval from the
competent planning authorities, such as Bangalore Development Authority,
Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) and
Bangalore International Airport Area Planning Authority (BIAAPA).
Seven categories
Seven categories of properties have been identified for
collection of improvement charges, including layouts developed on
converted revenue land, BDA approved layouts on converted revenue land,
properties on land converted for non-agricultural purposes (wherever
development has been approved as per Master Plan 2015 by the competent
planning authorities), layouts developed by KIADB, KSSIDC, KHB and not
yet handed over to BBMP, land acquired by KIADB for single industrial
units, properties legalised as per section 94( C) of the Karnataka Land
Revenue Act and properties re-conveyed by BDA. Sources said circulars
were issued during November and December 2007, authorising the civic
authority to collect improvement charges. It was dropped after the
decision was challenged in court. In 2008, the High Court ordered that
rules be framed for collection. The rules were drafted in 2009, during
the administrator’s period. These rules were approved by the Government
on February 3, 2010. The improvement charges were approved by the BBMP
Council on December 29, 2010.
The sources said that the circular has been issued with
an intention to improve the BBMP’s financial position and provide basic
civic amenities to the revenue pockets. Residents can pay as per the
rate fixed by the BBMP.
