Endless wait for khata irks citizens

For the past three years, Latha of HBR Layout (name changed on request) has been running from pillar to post to get the khata of her husband’s property transferred to her name, following his death.

But the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials in the HBR Layout have lost her file containing all the relevant documents and are asking her to furnish them afresh. Latha suspects the Palike officials want bribe for her work to be done. But she is reluctant to pay.

“Despite submitting all the documents such as death certificate and affidavit among others, I could not get the khata. The Palike revenue officers told me to submit the documents afresh along with another application. I had spent more than Rs 1,000 to get a new affidavit, notarised copy of the sale deed and other necessary documents. When I went to the BBMP office a few days ago to check the status of my application, the officials said they need some more time,” rued Latha.

Latha’s is not the one of case. Delay in the BBMP issuing khata and ‘demanding bribes’ continue to trouble other citizens as well. For instance, some flat owners from Nagasandra said they were told to cough up Rs 8,000 as service charge to the Palike to get the khata for their properties. As a last resort, they took the Sakala route, a system set up by state government for ensuring time-bound service to the public.

Subhash S, a resident of an apartment in Nagasandra, said: “I applied for khata in 2012. I had to struggle for four years to get it. The Palike’s revenue officers gave one or the other reason every time I visited their office.”

Finally, some officials guided him to apply under Sakala. “Within a few days, I managed to get the document,” he added.

Veerendra H of Yediyur said he applied for khata two years ago but had not got it till now. “Three months ago, the BBMP’s revenue officials said they will visit my property and I am still waiting,” he added.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad told Deccan Herald he would look into the issue immediately and discuss with officials concerned.