Bengaluru: Time to pay betterment charges

Bengaluru: With the Karnataka High Court vacating a stay, the BBMP is all set to collect betterment charges from property owners who got the land-use changed to non-agriculture.

The cash-strapped Palike, which was looking to increase its revenues, is expected to generate around Rs 300 crore from this drive. The BBMP issued a notification in this regard on November 1.

Mr Gunashekar, Chairman, Standing Committee on Taxation and Finance, told Deccan Chronicle, “In 2014, the high court directed the BBMP to stop collecting betterment charges towards regularisation of sites formed on converted lands. But the court has now given the go-ahead to collect the betterment charges.”

The charges will be Rs 250 per square metre for properties in the newly added areas of the BBMP and Rs 200 per square metre for those in core areas, he said.

“Owners of single, undivided plots of land with single survey number, who got their land converted to non-agriculture, should pay betterment charges. Around 4,600 property owners have already obtained ‘A’ khatas for their properties by giving an undertaking to the BBMP that they will pay the betterment charges whenever it came into effect. They will be served notices to pay these charges. Other property owners who want to get their khatas registered too can get it done from BBMP by paying betterment charges," he said.

There is also a provision to pay betterment charges through installments. “Under the Karnataka Municipal Act, we have the powers to slap fines on those who fail to pay these charges,” Mr Gunashekar warned.

The BBMP will take up a drive to encourage people to pay betterment charges. The money generated will be used for the welfare of the people and development of the city, he said.

• The high court in 2014 stayed BBMP's move to collect betterment charges from property owners who got the land-use changed to non-agriculture.
• With the high court now vacating the stay, the BBMP is all set to collect betterment charge of Rs 250 per square metre from converted land falling under new BBMP areas and Rs 200 in the core areas
• Owners of single, undivided plots of land with single survey number that were converted to non-agriculture should pay betterment charges.