Ekhata: Citizens in a fix at B'lore One centres

NT | Bengaluru

After Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief Tushar Girinath announced that citizens can obtain their final eKhatas from Bangalore One Centres, citizens are thronging the centres but few of them have been able to obtain e-khatas so far. The BBMP has digitized around 22 lakh records of registered properties in the city.

This comes after orders by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar. In a reality check by News Trail, a Bangalore One centre in Suddagunte Palya was found to be illequipped to prepare a final eKhata. An attendant there said, “We’re yet to acquire the necessary software and network connections to access data. We don’t know when when we will get it.” Those approaching the said centre are being directed to the BBMP office in Jayanagar 2nd block which houses a larger Bangalore One Centre. At the said centre, citizens were seen waiting for their turns to produce necessary documents to obtain a final eKhata. A senior citizen who wanted to remain anonymous, alleged that a senior official at Jayanagar 4th block had demanded a bribe of around Rs. 10,000 for providing an eKhata, after learning that their sale deed needs to be relooked at.

“I wanted to register my property for an e-Khata to later sell it. However, there has been very little progress so far. It is shameful to see officials demand bribes for something which can be obtained for free,” he further alleged. As per data from the BBMP on Wednesday, 6 lakh eKhatas have been downloaded ever since its online induction on October 1. However, only 5612 have downloaded their final eKhata, out of 30,000 entries.