BENGALURU: The recent rollout of the 'Nanna e-Khata, Nanna Hakku' initiative, aimed at digitizing property records and simplifying document conversion, has met with a tepid response for its core objective, though it has drawn significant numbers seeking other property-related services. The program, launched across five city corporations on May 16, has seen a higher volume of applications for standard e-Khata issuance and corrections than for the advertised conversion of 'B' Khata properties to the coveted 'A' Khata status.
The initiative's stated goal of converting 'B' Khatas to 'A' Khatas appears to have garnered minimal traction, with reports indicating "negligible" requests for this specific service during the inaugural 'open house' events. This contrasts sharply with the significant demand for routine e-Khata services, including corrections and new issuances, which dominated the applications received. On the first day of the campaign, May 16, a total of 1,505 applications were processed for both e-Khata and Khata conversions, according to data from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).
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Drive for Digitization Continues
The 'Nanna e-Khata, Nanna Hakku' campaign, announced by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, is intended to operate every Saturday across 50 centres. Its broader aim is to address a range of property documentation issues. While the conversion of 'B' Khata to 'A' Khata was highlighted as a "historic opportunity" with a reduced fee of 2 per cent of the guidance value (down from 5 per cent), the public's focus seems to be elsewhere. The program also promises free delivery of documents to landowners through the 'Nanna E-Khata Andolana'.
The broader effort involves the digitization of over 23 lakh property documents across the five city corporations, a move intended to enhance record security and combat fraud. Centres for these services have been established in various public spaces, including GBA schools, colleges, and ward offices. The initial target was to provide "instant redressal on the spot" for approximately 5,000 citizens each week. However, the initial turnout suggests a disconnect between the campaign's advertised priorities and the immediate needs or interests of property owners.
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"Instead, they addressed our issues,” remarked one citizen, indicating a reliance on the centres for existing document problems rather than the advertised new conversions.
The campaign's first outings occurred on May 16, with similar events also noted as happening "4 days ago" and "3 days ago" in relation to today's date. This initiative builds on previous attempts, with at least one citizen having attended a similar e-Khata fair the previous year.
