Officials running a ‘mafia’ to extract bribes for issuing e-Khatas in Bengaluru: R. Ashok

BJP accuses Bengaluru's Congress government of corruption in e-Khata issuance, halting infrastructure projects due to financial mismanagement.

The Opposition BJP on Tuesday accused the ruling Congress of “systemic governance failure in Bengaluru”, alleging large-scale corruption in the e-Khata system operated by five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Speaking during a debate on Bengaluru development in the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok claimed that city corporation officials were running a “mafia” to extract bribes for issuing e-Khatas, even targeting property owners who had duly paid taxes. He alleged that in some cases, officials initiated auction proceedings despite tax compliance.

Mr. Ashok criticised Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s “Brand Bengaluru” initiative, stating that corruption within the system had undermined governance. He presented documents in the House to counter Mr. Shivakumar’s claim that no bribery had occurred under the Congress government.

Citing specific instances, Mr. Ashok alleged that in HBR Layout, a property owner was forced to pay bribes in instalments to secure an e-Khata. At the same time, similar demands of up to ₹50,000 were reported in Devanahalli. He claimed that private intermediaries were charging ₹30,000–₹40,000 per property to facilitate approvals.

The BJP leader further highlighted persistent civic issues, including pothole-ridden roads, poor waste management, and inadequate infrastructure. Despite claims of significant expenditure, he alleged that road repairs remain incomplete and garbage disposal systems are ineffective, with thousands of tonnes of waste left unmanaged daily.

Raising financial concerns, Mr. Ashok said the GBA/city corporations face a severe resource crunch, with revenues insufficient to meet salary and operational expenses, leaving the city ill-prepared for emergencies such as floods.