Bengaluru: JDS Bengaluru District President and former MLC H.M. Ramesh Gowda has strongly criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of imposing an excessive financial burden on property owners under the pretext of administrative restructuring.
Speaking at a press conference, Gowda alleged that the government’s proposal to transform the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into the Greater Bengaluru Authority is primarily aimed at increasing property taxes and khata conversion charges. He claimed that citizens are being forced to spend between ₹2 to ₹3 lakh to convert their ‘B’ Khata properties to ‘A’ Khata, describing the process as exploitative and misleading.
“In 2007, BBMP charged a development fee of ₹250 per square meter. Today, under the Siddaramaiah administration, the rate has surged to over ₹2,000 per square foot,” Gowda stated. He further noted that the property tax rate, previously ₹13,800 per square meter, has been increased by an average of 1,000%, resulting in additional costs ranging from ₹3 to ₹6 lakh for property owners.
Gowda also criticized the government’s July 25 directive, which announced automatic conversion of ‘B’ Khata to ‘A’ Khata, calling it a move that has created confusion among citizens. “This is not reform—it’s a revenue-generating tactic. The government is prioritizing real estate interests over public welfare,” he said.
Echoing these concerns, senior JDS leader K.A. Thippeswamy warned that a “tax raj” is being imposed on Bengaluru residents. He pledged that the party would organize protests against what he termed “state-sponsored extortion.”
Stay tuned for further updates on the Greater Bengaluru reforms and public response.
