A clerical error in the records of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has led to significant distress for a cobbler in Murphy Town, Bengaluru, whose application for an e-khata was rejected due to an erroneous Property Identification Number (PID) that does not exist in official records. This issue is not isolated, as numerous applicants have reported similar rejections based on incorrect PID numbers, attributed to manual entry errors by the civic body.
V. Subramani, a resident of Ashraya Scheme House on Anantha Nair Road, faced rejection after a futile attempt to locate his property in the BBMP database using his name, property number, or assessment number. Subramani was originally issued a valid khata certificate and extract in 2014 by the Assistant Revenue Officer (ARO) of the Jeevan Bima Nagar Sub-Division and has consistently paid property taxes under this PID through 2025.
M. Pari, a former BBMP councillor who has been supporting Subramani, highlighted that the problem emerged during the e-khata application process. After intensive manual searches in BBMP’s ward-level records, Subramani discovered that a different PID had been erroneously entered for his property, a number that corresponded to no property at all.
On April 16, 2024, Subramani submitted an online application for an e-khata, including all necessary documents like tax payment proofs and the original khata. He followed up by delivering hard copies in person to the BBMP’s office the following day. Despite presenting clear documentary evidence, the application was rejected due to the incorrect PID—a mistake clearly originating in BBMP’s records.
A source within BBMP’s revenue department disclosed to The Hindu that numerous applications are rejected under the pretense of incorrect PIDs, suggesting that these could be resolved by reviewing the original submitted documents. However, AROs allegedly reject these applications, potentially creating opportunities for bribery. According to the source, around ten applications are rejected each month for this reason.
Pari noted that the system provides an editing option for the PID number, which could rectify the mistakes even after submission. Despite this capability, the rejections persist. While BBMP officials have been alerted to this issue, no action has been taken against the AROs involved, he said.
The situation underscores a systemic problem within the BBMP, affecting individual residents like Subramani who rely on accurate records for their property rights. As this issue continues, it raises questions about the efficiency of manual entries in civic administration and highlights the need for streamlined, transparent processes that curb such bureaucratic obstacles.
For those dealing with similar issues, the BBMP’s lack of action in addressing these perpetual errors calls for an immediate review and overhaul of the current procedures. Keeping administrative records accurate and easily accessible is essential for fair governance and protecting the rights of Bangalore’s residents. As the cases accumulate, the demand for accountability and corrective measures from the BBMP remains critical.
Published – April 18, 2025 09:30 pm IST Categories: Bengaluru Tags: BBMP, e-khata, Property Identification Number, clerical error, ARO, property records.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/error-in-pid-numbers-leads-to-rejection-of-e-kahats-in-bengaluru/article69464241.ece
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Publish Date: 2025-04-18 21:30:00
