GBA officials deliberately rejecting e-khata applications?

BENGALURU: Serious allegations have been made by citizens that an e-khata scam has taken place in the city and that GBA officials are deliberately rejecting e-khata applications. Officials themselves were involved in the major scam, it is alleged.

The officials are putting a spoke in the process of implementing the e-khata scheme, an initiative of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Thousands of e-khata applications have been deliberately rejected by the officials on flimsy grounds. A letter from GBA’s Deputy Commissioner, Administration Division, has been sent to the Urban Development Department, detailing these serious allegations.

Despite applicants submitting proper documents, officials are allegedly deliberately rejecting applications without valid reasons. A copy of the deputy commissioner’s letter has been made available to Public TV. The letter alleges that the officials are harassing the public by not issuing e-khatas. The letter has recommended disciplinary action against the Bommanahalli Zonal Deputy Commissioner and the BTM Layout Revenue Officer.

In one instance, an application for an e-khata was submitted by Muralidhar, a resident of Jayanagar. He submitted all required documents, but was denied e-khata. Several similar instances have been reported, with officials citing ‘incorrect information’ without basis.

The department requested that, considering this is a serious case, stern action should be taken against such officers. The letter to the Urban Development department seeks that the officials be suspended immediately and that it act without leniency.