BBMP officials issuing fake occupancy certificates, but no action despite plaint

BENGALURU: Some corrupt officials in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are issuing fake Occupancy Certificates (OC) to illegal builders in the city, some citizens have charged.

According to the BBMP rules, only those buildings built as per the approved plan will get OC, but some officials are issuing Occupancy Certificates illegally to constructions which have deviated from the approved plans. Since an occupancy certificate is necessary to get a khata, officials are allegedly providing it without even verifying whether the occupancy certificate is genuine.

Saidatta, a social activist

The BBMP officials have filed a complaint about the occupancy certificate scam at the police station. But the Palike has not taken any action and it is suspected that a big network, involving officials too, is behind this, and causing a huge loss to the Palike treasury. It is also said that some prestigious apartments have also received fake OCs.

“A fake occupancy certificate was issued for a residential complex in Papaiah Garden. Only BBMP can issue these certificates. The BBMP officials have already complained about this to the police, but no action is being taken. After inspecting a building and determining that it is fit for occupancy, builders are issued an occupancy certificate. If it’s not as per the rules, they get a fake OC. This is denting the BBMP’s revenues and the fake OC scam is growing every day”, alleged Saidatta, a social activist.