Last month, the Karnataka government decided to regularise B Kharab plots in possession of private entities within an 18-kilometre radius of Bengaluru and other urban areas. The move is likely to provide relief to several real estate projects, industries, educational, and religious institutions.
But what are B Kharab plots? To get answers, we spoke to our legal expert. Here are the excerpts:
What are Kharab plots?
Defined under the Karnataka Land Revenue Rules, 1966, Kharab is a technical term that indicates a type of land. During the process of land classification, land that is arable or unfit for cultivation is to be treated as ‘pot Kharab’.
Our next question is related to the news of regularising B Kharab plots. What are B Kharab plots? How many types of Kharab plots are there?
Kharab plots are categories into– A Kharab and B Kharab. A Kharab plots are unfit for agriculture and may or may not be held under private ownership. B Kharab, on the other hand, is also non-cultivable land belonging to the government. It is reserved for:
- Public purposes
- Used as a cremation or burial ground
- Assigned to the village potteries
Can Kharab plots be converted for non-agricultural use?
Only A Kharab plots can be converted for non-agricultural use. It can sometimes also be exempted from the land revenue assessment. B Kharab plots, however, can neither be converted nor conveyed by private parties.
What about private ownership of these plots?
Well, as explained earlier, A Kharab plots may or may not be held privately. B Kharab plots belong to the state government. However, at times, B Kharab land is stuck between two private properties. Such land is known as landlocked government lands, which can now be bought with the revised guidelines.
So, how will the regularisation happen?
The regularisation of such plots will attract a conversion price. The government will demand four times the guidance value that plots in the vicinity command for the B Kharab land.
Coming back to the news, how much B Kharab land is there in Bengaluru?
As per State government estimate, there are 21,000 acres of B Kharab land in and around Bengaluru. Please note that the Bill to regularise B Kharab lands by bringing in amendments to relevant provisions to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act is only applicable to Bengaluru and areas falling within an 18-km radius.
How can one buy Kharab land?
The Cabinet has decided to sell only such B Kharab plots that are not in public use. You can approach the office of the local District Collector and apply for the same.
Lastly, what is the impact of regularising B Kharab plots?
Well, B Kharab plots do not provide any cost benefits to the government. As the government will demand four times the guidance value for such land, it will generate revenues to the State exchequer. It will also free up government land that can be used for a better purpose.
The move will also benefit real estate developers who have B Kharab land in between their land parcels. It will give them the ownership of the Kharab land, which can also be developed as a part of a project.
if a property is landlocked what is the procedure to get access to the road through kharab land.