In a move poised to greatly streamline property transactions, Karnataka's Revenue Minister, R. Ashoka, revealed plans yesterday to amend existing regulations. The state government intends to allow the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes within just one week.
Ashoka articulated that a primary goal of this initiative is to eradicate corrupt practices perpetuated by officials at various levels, while simultaneously alleviating unnecessary burdens placed on landowners. As things stand, property owners often wait six to eight months to get the required approvals for land use changes.
The Minister clarified that while conversion fees will remain unchanged in rural areas, individuals in urban and semi-urban locales will be obligated to pay two to three times the current rate. A streamlined, single-window system will be implemented across Deputy Commissioners’ offices, responsible for managing all types of land conversion for layouts and industrial zones.
Currently, the Revenue Department adheres to a protocol for sending land conversion applications to the planning authority. Subsequently, the file navigates through several layers, involving the Tahsildar, Revenue Inspector, Village Accountant, and all land acquisition officers.
Ashoka stated that the existing procedure often entails six to eight months and necessitates numerous reports before land conversion is finalized. Certain restrictions will apply to individuals seeking land conversion. Land slated for conversion must be free from encroachment and not be designated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.
Applicants are obligated to furnish an affidavit and remit the requisite conversion fee. Agricultural landowners can leverage this affidavit-based conversion system to transition their land to any non-agricultural usage, contingent upon submitting a self-declaration that aligns with the authorized master plan for the area in question.
Conversion will be deemed impossible if the master plan designates the specified area as a green zone. In instances where a master plan for the area is pending approval, decisions will be predicated on self-declaration, assuming the non-agricultural use has received endorsement from relevant authorities under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act. According to Ashoka, any submission of false affidavits, or the presence of gaps or ambiguities within the affidavit, will result in application cancellation and forfeiture of the application fee.