6.5 lakh unauthorized properties in Bengaluru eligible for e-khata under e-Swathu initiative

The state government’s e-Swathu programme aims to provide legal documentation to over 95 lakh unauthorised properties, boosting property tax collection and easing property transactions.

Owners of nearly 6.5 lakh unauthorised properties in gram panchayats across Bengaluru Urban, Rural, and South districts are now eligible for e-khatas under the state government’s e-Swathu initiative, launched last week. The programme aims to provide legal documentation to over 95 lakh illegal properties across Karnataka.

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According to the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department, about 2.8 lakh properties in Bengaluru Urban, and 1.8 lakh each in Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru South are set to benefit from the initiative. Currently, Bengaluru Urban district has around 8.2 lakh properties, of which 5.4 lakh already hold e-khatas. The department has listed 2,77,317 properties for regularisation, bringing them into the property tax net.

In Bengaluru Rural, which covers the north-east, north, and north-west parts, over 4 lakh properties exist, with nearly 2.2 lakh already having e-khatas. Bengaluru South, bordering the city’s southern parts, has over 3.4 lakh properties, of which 1.5 lakh currently hold e-khatas.

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The e-Swathu initiative is expected to benefit property owners, who require e-khatas for transactions and bank loans, while also helping gram panchayats increase revenue. Property tax collected from GPs in 2024-25 was Rs 1,272 crore, and officials expect the figure to reach at least Rs 2,000 crore under this programme.

The government hopes that the e-Swathu initiative will not only legalise unauthorised properties but also streamline property records, enhance transparency, and encourage timely tax payments, bridging a crucial gap in Karnataka’s urban and rural property administration.

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