Administrative reforms panel recommends conversion of B khata into A khata with levy of a fee in Karnataka

It recommends that gram panchayats be allowed to collect property tax and maintain khatas for the sites allotted by BDA, KHB, KIADB and other agencies in their jurisdiction

Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission-2 (KARC-2) headed by former chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar has recommended conversion of B-khata sites to A-khata with collection of a land conversion fee, a fine and a compounding fee to the planning authority concerned after suitable

rules under Section 76F of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTCP) Act .

The commission submitted its second and third reports to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. It recommends immediate online approval of building plans for up to 2,400 sq.ft. on the basis of self-declaration and certification, and payment of a fee through an online application.

It recommends constitution of coordination committees under the chairmanship of zonal commissioners in BBMP, and City Commissioners in other corporations; amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act and the Karnataka Municipalities (KM) Act with regard to B-khata in urban local bodies on the lines of B-khata in BBMP and 11-B khata in gram panchayats.

At present, BDA, urban development authorities, KHB and KIADB have been issuing khatas for sites allotted by them in the limits of gram panchayats (GPs), depriving property tax to gram panchayats. It recommends that gram panchayats be allowed to collect property tax and maintain khatas for the sites allotted by BDA, KHB, KIADB and other agencies in their limits.

It said various taxes and penalties prescribed under provisions of KMC Act 1976 and the KM Act 1964 should be revised in line with the increase in the inflation index.

It recommends formation of Metropolitan Planning Committees as per provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act in all the cities having a population more than 10 lakh in their metropolitan areas, including in Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi.