Karnataka plans OC relief for rural Bengaluru homes

Karnataka may extend OC relief to gram panchayat homes in Bengaluru outskirts, covering taller buildings too. Govt may also include 3–4 storey buildings

The Karnataka government is preparing to extend Occupancy Certificate (OC) relief to homes located in Bengaluru’s gram panchayat areas, mirroring exemptions already granted within Greater Bengaluru limits. The move comes after several city legislators urged the state to address the growing number of properties on the outskirts of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) that remain excluded from the current policy.

Representatives from constituencies such as Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru South, and Mahadevapura highlighted that rapid real estate growth in these panchayat zones has left many homeowners unable to secure electricity connections due to the absence of OCs. Energy Minister K.J. George confirmed that a proposal has been submitted to the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department. Once approved, the energy department will begin providing power connections to eligible houses in rural areas, even without an OC.

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Legislators also pointed out limitations in the existing exemption, which applies only to buildings up to two floors. However, many residences in the city’s periphery are three or four storeys high. To address this gap, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has directed the law department to explore legal options that would allow taller buildings to benefit from the same relief.

The initiative reflects the government’s effort to balance regulatory requirements with the realities of Bengaluru’s expanding housing market. If implemented, the extension of OC relief could ease long‑growing real estate sector.

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