Know all about KHATHA

“KHATHA” is the first word which arises among all the property purchasers mind. This blog is going to fill/satisfy the entire questions regarding this subject as per Government policies and regulations.

What?

“Khatha” in simple term it is ‘Account’. From ancient days, ancestors developed a system of measuring lands and appointed collectors to estimate and collect the taxes. Each land owner was assigned a ‘Khatha’ in the records of the tax collectors, in which details of the estimated tax payable and the collections made from year to year was recorded.

“Khatha” therefore reports / accounts the ownership details, location, size and tax to be paid to the government.

As per law, the word ‘katha’ is not found in the Act, but in common parlance, over the years, is synonymous with the certificate issued by the Corporation in exercise of jurisdiction under Section 114 of the (Karnataka Municipalities) Act, recording the name of the owner/occupier of the immovable property, primarily responsible to pay the Corporation taxes. It is also true that this ‘katha’, is important on account of its relevancy for variety of purposes, be it securing a gas connection, telephone line, driving licence, ration card, mortgage by deposit of title deeds, conveyance of immovable property, licence to erect a building, so on and so forth, though does not confer right title or interest in the immovable property.

There are several judgments of the High Court of Karnataka on the issue of the Khatha. The latest one, and therefore the most contemporary pronouncement of the law, is in Writ Petition No. 16738 of 2005; Jayamma vs. Assistant Revenue Officer, Hombegowda Nagar Range and others

Citation: ILR2009KAR458, 2009(3)KarLJ630 (and on the net in MANU/KA/0450/2008)Decided on: 25.09.2008, by Justice Ram Mohan Reddy

Why?

Even thought the certificate is the final achievement/award by the purchaser now, it has become the necessary preliminary gateway for all buyers to make sure that the title is clear or not. The system framed in such a way until unless title/ownership/documents are not clear/clean “KHATHA” is not awarded by the Government. This has been treated as an award of cleanliness in the property documents. But technically, the Khatha, which can be loosely translated into a book of records, is a legal document that is a must when applying for a bank loan, license, etc. Since it has the details of the owner and the property (location, size, and other particulars), it is also required for filing property taxes.

Where?

“Khatha” certificate can be applied and received in all the Municipal/corporation based on the zone division. A Bill has been passed by the Karnataka State Legislature to provide guarantee of services to citizens in the State of Karnataka within the stipulated time limit and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. This Act is called the Karnataka Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act, 2011 & (Amendment) Act, 2014.

When? & Who?

This is the final and result of the above entire process, there is always a big question in small word “When? & Who?” this certificate is going to be achieved / received. To clear this Government has taken a standard step to award this certificate in stipulated timeline as mentioned below which has been carried out by different officers under different local authorities.

Local Authorities: BBMP, City Municipal Council (CMC), Town Municipal Commission (TMC), Town Panchayat (TP), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

How?

 The below flow-chart will explain how to apply & the process carried out in the government to achieve Khatha. Link for Khatha registration & queries : www.sakala.kar.nic.in/

Documents required for Khatha registration.

The following documents are required for registration of Khatha for the first time.

NOTE: In case of revenue properties where conversion has not been obtained and approval of the competent authority for formation of layout has not been obtained, Khatha Registration will not be done unless they are regularized by the Government. However for the said properties assessment will be made for property tax and entered in the ‘B’ Register.

Types of Khatha

There are two type of Khatha in the system.

• “A” Khatha - this certificate is issued to a legal property that abides with all building byelaws, taxation norms and government regulations.
• B Khatha  - this certificate is issued to a legal property that  are not abides with all building byelaws, taxation norms and government regulations who cannot avail any sort of benefits from Government, Bank etc.

“E” Khatha – the name itself refer E which is Electronic Khatha came to ease the burden of the entire property owner. It is equivalent to the “A” Khatha the only difference is, it is computer generated Khatha which is accessed through Property Identification (PID) Number.