10 lakh e-Khata certificates to be distributed, road works to be done by April end: DKS

Karnataka government to distribute 10 lakh e-Khata certificates and complete major road works by April end, says Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

The State government will distribute e-Khata certificates to 10 lakh property owners on April 3, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said during a review meeting of works under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits on Saturday. He added that the process of converting B-Khata accounts to A-Khata has also been initiated, with officials verifying documents submitted by applicants. So far, around 7,000 applications have been received, he said.

Referring to civic works, Mr. Shivakumar said there were no pending contractor bills related to road projects. “Road works worth ₹2,671 crore have been taken up in the last three months using government funds,” he said, adding that tenders have been called and a plan of action has been prepared. He also directed officials to complete the road works by the end of April and ensure they were finished before the monsoon.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government was permitting development on 100 acres of land next to hilly areas. Landowners willing to give their land to the government can do so, and compensation will be paid in accordance with the 2013 land acquisition law. He said compensation would be provided to those who part with land within a 40-km radius.

Instructions have been issued to the Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner in this regard. The government has sought land along the Kolar, Magadi, Nelamangala and Tumakuru roads and plans to lay separate roads in those stretches. Farmers or builders who come forward to give land, particularly near forest or hill regions, will be compensated as per the Act, he said.

Addressing welfare measures, he said certain welfare schemes had not been implemented for the past two to three years and that separate programmes would be organised in each corporation to distribute benefits.

“Around 30,000 street vendors have applied for assistance. The government plans to provide pushcarts, identification cards and facilities for vending, and to clear encroachments on footpaths,” Mr. Shivakumar said.