Mangaluru: Delay in issuing e-Khata certificates by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and other urban local bodies has caused serious inconvenience to property buyers and sellers across the city. With the Karnataka state government making e-Khata mandatory for property registration, citizens are now facing prolonged waiting periods, sometimes stretching into weeks, to complete sale and registration formalities.
e-Khata, the digital version of the property ownership record, is essential for registering any sale deed. However, repeated technical glitches, software-related issues, and difficulties in making corrections have slowed down the process significantly. As a result, property transactions have come to a standstill in several cases, affecting both residents and non-resident Indians (NRIs) who depend on time-bound visits to complete legal formalities.
Mandatory e-Khata rule triggers chaos
According to citizens and real estate stakeholders, the mandatory implementation of e-Khata was done without adequate groundwork or infrastructure readiness. Buyers and sellers are compelled to wait for weeks after submitting applications, with little clarity on timelines or accountability.
Several applicants have complained that even minor corrections in names, survey numbers or measurements in the e-Khata take an inordinate amount of time. In some cases, applications are returned repeatedly due to technical errors or mismatches in data, forcing applicants to make multiple visits to MCC offices.
Real estate agents in Mangaluru said that property deals worth several lakhs and crores of rupees are being delayed due to the issue. “Earlier, once documents were ready, registration could be completed in a day or two. Now, without e-Khata, even genuine transactions are stuck indefinitely,” said a local broker.
MLA slams state government over inaction
Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath strongly criticised the Congress-led state government, accusing it of being indifferent to the hardships faced by the public. He said that the decision to make e-Khata mandatory was implemented in an “unscientific manner”, leading to confusion and disorder in urban areas.
“People who live in distant places and even abroad come to Mangaluru hoping to complete property registrations. They end up spending days here and return empty-handed,” Kamath said. He cited a recent incident where an individual, who had returned from abroad to sell a property, expressed deep frustration over the delays and claimed he had never seen such administrative chaos before.
Kamath added that he had raised the issue during the Assembly session, but no concrete outcome had emerged. “During the previous BJP government, clear instructions were given to issue e-Khata within one week to 20 days after submission of applications. Periodic review meetings were held to resolve people’s grievances quickly,” he said.
Comparison with previous administration
The MLA further alleged that under the current Congress government, the system has fallen into disarray. “Earlier, officials were proactive, and timelines were largely adhered to. Now, common people are left running from pillar to post and cursing the system,” he remarked.
Questioning the prolonged delay, Kamath asked how technical glitches could take months or even years to resolve. “If the government does not act swiftly, people may be forced to take to the streets to demand solutions,” he warned.
MCC assures quick resolution
When contacted, a senior official from the Mangaluru City Corporation acknowledged the existence of technical issues but assured that steps are being taken to resolve them. According to the official, the problem lies not with the server but with the e-Khata software itself.
“The software is currently being updated with necessary modifications. There are no server-related issues, but certain technical problems within the software need rectification,” the officer said. He added that the issue is likely to be resolved within two to three days, after which the issuance process should return to normal.
However, many citizens remain sceptical, pointing out that similar assurances have been given in the past without tangible improvement on the ground.
Citizens demand accountability
Property owners and legal experts have urged the government to either streamline the e-Khata system or introduce interim measures to prevent genuine transactions from being stalled. Suggestions include setting strict deadlines for issuing e-Khata, improving software stability, and providing a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism.
Conclusion
The delay in e-Khata issuance has emerged as a major administrative bottleneck in Mangaluru, directly impacting property transactions and public trust. While officials claim that technical issues will soon be resolved, citizens and elected representatives are demanding immediate and sustained action. Until the system stabilises, the mandatory e-Khata rule continues to be a source of frustration, highlighting the urgent need for efficient digital governance.