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.