Bengaluru residents slam BDA over steep khata transfer fee hike

Property owners allege unscientific charges, demand relief for legal heirs, and accuse BDA of ignoring repeated appeals.

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is facing severe criticism from property owners after imposing steep charges for khata transfers. Residents argue that the fee hike is arbitrary, financially burdensome, and unscientific, especially in cases where the property is being transferred to a legal heir after the original owner’s death.

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According to aggrieved citizens, the BDA charges the same fee for a khata transfer after death as it does for a regular property sale. This, they say, is both insensitive and unreasonable. While the BBMP collects a nominal amount for the same service, the BDA demands several times higher, with fees for sites ranging from Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000 depending on the dimensions.

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Residents also questioned why khata transfer fees are linked to the size of the site, pointing out that name change in records is an administrative task and should not depend on property dimensions. Adding to frustrations, they noted that while BBMP has made the process fully digital, BDA continues with a largely manual system, forcing applicants to physically submit documents.

Despite repeated appeals, residents allege that the BDA has ignored requests to reconsider the charges or create a separate category for transfers involving dependents. Citizen forums say the current policy places an unfair burden on grieving families and reflects outdated governance practices.

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As discontent grows, property owners are demanding immediate reforms, greater transparency, and an online system that is citizen-friendly. Until then, the khata transfer row is likely to intensify.

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