Bengaluru, August 21: The state government of Karnataka has provided significant relief to millions of families holding plots and homes in unauthorized layouts for the past three to four decades. These families have faced legal and administrative uncertainty due to the issuance of ‘B’ account records for their properties.
The assembly has approved the ‘Karnataka Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026.’ This crucial legal step aims to grant ownership rights to eligible properties in unauthorized layouts and assist them in obtaining ‘A’ accounts.
Presenting the bill in the assembly on Friday, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stated that ensuring secure and legally recognized ownership for every property owner is part of the government’s and the Chief Minister‘s commitment to a ‘land guarantee.’
He explained, “This amendment to Section 284 of the Municipal Corporation Act is intended to address the fundamental issues associated with unauthorized layouts and create a legal pathway to resolve the difficulties faced by property owners.”
Byre Gowda noted that numerous unauthorized layouts have emerged in Karnataka’s urban areas over the past three to four decades.
He remarked, “Despite knowing these constructions were unauthorized, previous governments did not take adequate measures to stop them. Additionally, layout developers lacked awareness that layouts could not be created in violation of the law. As a result, property owners are now facing various challenges.”
He highlighted that many of these layouts were built without adequately wide roads, proper road construction, electricity connections, underground drainage, reliable drinking water supply, stormwater drainage, or proper connecting roads.
He stated, “In fact, poorly planned and irregular layouts have left property owners without secure and legally recognized ownership. They find themselves in a difficult situation, despite no fault of their own.”
The minister mentioned that the government decided to adopt a strict stance against the creation of new unauthorized layouts in 2024. “We have resolved to completely ban such unauthorized layouts and take steps to prevent further violations. Simultaneously, we have decided to provide appropriate solutions for property owners in layouts established decades ago.”
He explained that these property owners were initially issued ‘B’ accounts because there was no legal provision for issuing ‘A’ accounts for these properties. However, we believe that ownership can only be secured when property owners can obtain ‘A’ accounts. Hence, the state government has now taken this important legal step.
Leave a Comment