The Karnataka government’s push to digitize property transactions by making e-khata mandatory has encountered significant technical issues, leading to a 95% drop in property registrations, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, and Mysuru. This comes at a time when the stamps and registration department is aiming to boost revenue by keeping select sub-registrar offices open on weekends.
Despite a 5% rise in property registrations in the first two quarters of this fiscal, which brought in ₹11,550 crore compared to ₹9,419 crore last year, the mandatory e-khata implementation in September has slowed down the process drastically. “Typically, we register 50-60 properties daily; now it’s down to five or six,” a Bengaluru sub-registrar said, highlighting the impact of technical glitches.
Of Karnataka’s 257 sub-registrar offices, 26 in Bengaluru are exempt from the mandate, with e-khata compulsory in areas like Basavanagudi and Gandhinagar. The system will expand to Jayanagar, Rajajinagar, and Shivajinagar next week.
Local bodies, like BBMP, are tasked with issuing e-khata documents, but challenges like portal glitches and a lack of public awareness have hindered adoption. Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda acknowledged the problems and assured citizens that these were initial setbacks, with no fixed deadline to obtain e-khata unless one plans to sell their property. Helpdesks have been set up to assist citizens with the process.
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