Karnataka unveils Bhu Suraksha, digitisation to combat property fraud

In a proactive response to the increasing incidents of fraudulent property transactions and manipulation of land records, the Karnataka government has revealed its strategy to digitise antiquated real estate documents at taluk offices statewide. This significant initiative, named Bhu Suraksha, aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the maintenance of land records, providing convenient access to these records. Scheduled for launch within a month, Bhu Suraksha will commence in one taluk per district among the 31 districts, as announced by Minister Krishna Byregowda. The phased implementation of the program will ultimately extend to cover all 236 taluks across the state, requiring an investment of Rs 300 million for the acquisition of new equipment and the recruitment of personnel. The revenue minister highlighted the existing challenges faced by citizens in retrieving property documents and emphasised the government's commitment to addressing this issue. Byregowda assured that once the successful digital conversion of documents is achieved, the digitised records will be handed over to the respective property owners. He also pledged adequate funding for the project, including provisions for essential equipment such as computers, scanners, and the hiring of data-entry operators.