K'taka Cabinet approves 3 key bills, including property tax for unauthorised structures

The Karnataka cabinet has approved three significant legislative amendments, including a bill aimed at taxing nearly 90 lakh unauthorised properties without granting them legal regularisation. The Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025, will enable gram panchayats to collect property tax by issuing B-khatas in urban and rural areas outside Bengaluru.

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The government had launched a three-month statewide initiative from February 10 to facilitate the issuance of B-khatas through local bodies. While the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) already issues B-khatas within its jurisdiction, urban and rural development authorities have now initiated e-Swathu registrations for properties. With the cabinet's approval, the amendment bill is set to be presented in the ongoing legislative session.

Additionally, the cabinet cleared The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which introduces a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in government tenders valued up to Rs 1 crore. This move aligns with the state budget’s commitments and is expected to be tabled in the assembly shortly.

Further, the government has greenlit The Agricultural Sciences Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for an integrated agriculture-horticulture university in Mandya. The new institution will oversee colleges in Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, and Mandya, along with Mysuru’s horticulture college. Existing universities, including those in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Shimoga, and Raichur, will retain their current status.