The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) may have recently launched its e-khata system with much celebration, but its pilot program, initiated two years ago in the East zone, has seen only 8.6 per cent — or 30,000 — of the 3.5 lakh property owners obtaining the certificate. Introduced in 2022 as a pilot project, the e-khata initiative was designed to enhance transparency and streamline the management of property records. However, the adoption rate has been slower than anticipated. Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil explained that the low response was due to factors such as lack of awareness and difficulties in submitting required documents like GPS data and KYC details. A senior BBMP revenue official mentioned that despite extensive promotion of the e-khata system, only a small number of people have completed the process. The official also noted that those who already possess their e-khata only need to link their GPS data to the system. The e-khata system was developed to prevent exploitation by officials like the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) and Panchayat Development Officer (PDO). A senior revenue department bureaucrat stated that previously, property owners had to spend between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, depending on the property size, to obtain a khata certificate, often facing fraudulent practices. The official highlighted that the system was introduced to eliminate these issues and simplify the process. The e-khata system also benefits BBMP’s revenue department by simplifying property management and promoting transparency and accountability. It was first rolled out in three wards of the Shantinagar sub-division and later expanded to 11 wards, including Domlur, CV Raman Nagar, and Jeevan Bima Nagar. In the second phase, it was further extended to 30 wards such as JC Nagar, Hebbal, Shivajinagar, Vasanthnagar, Pulikeshinagar, KG Halli, Maruthi Sevanagar, and HBR Layout. Additionally, handwritten property rights certificates, including Uttara Patra (except for those processed through Sakala), have been prohibited.