Bangalore: The Bangalore Mahanagara Palike's move to introduce "Suvarna Khata" would mean that khatas would not be available before 30 days after submitting applications. This move has been initiated to prevent corruption at the BMP's revenue offices.

With this, the process of obtaining khatas would be simplified, said K.C. Ushadevi, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) at the BMP Council meeting on Thursday. The application, along with the documents, could be certified and submitted at one counter.

Khatas could be collected within 30 days from the same counter, she said.

The documents required would be printed behind the application form and put up at every revenue office, she said. Some of the documents required were title deed, tax receipt and a rough sketch of the property, she said. She said Rs. 100 per square yard would be collected as betterment charges for properties on revenue land, Ms. Ushadevi said. If the khata was not received within 30 days, the applicants could lodge a complaint at the office of the Joint Commissioner of the zones concerned, said

Arasu, Revenue Adviser. "Khatas would be ready within 25 days," he said. The khatas would be sent through registered post if the applicant did not collect it at the end of the 30-day period, he said. Ms. Ushadevi said the demand draft submitted with the application would be remitted only after the khatas were given to applicants.

BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj said that "Tatkal Khata", which could be obtained in case of emergencies by paying a higher fee, would be started in the second phase. "First, we will ensure that this service works better," he said. Ms. Ushadevi told the BMP Council that all properties within BMP limits would be brought under the tax net by September 15.

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