E-Khata in Property Buying: What You Should Know

“Are e-Khatas the legal equivalent of A-Khatas for properties in Bangalore?” That was a question from one of our followers on Quora, and it made me think. After reading this and other related questions, I realised that there is a popular misconception floating around that all homebuyers must have an e-Khata. Hence in this post, I will try to break down the complexities of e-Khata for a better understanding.

What’s the Khata?

As explained in this post, Khata translates to an account in English. In real estate terminology, it is a legal document that constitutes details about the property, including the owner’s name, property size, location, etc. In Bangalore, this document determines the assessment of property owners within the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Now, a Khata that is filed online is known as an e-Khata. This is a computerised version comprising of all the relevant details that have been recorded manually. It is not an additional requirement by the BBMP. Coming back to the question of our Quora follower, it is also the legal equivalent of A-Khata.

Benefits of e-Khata

So, what are the benefits of having an e-Khata? In simple words, it is like a net banking account that lets you transact online and save you the time and effort of visiting a bank. E-Khata does the same things. You can access your Khata account details anytime, anywhere. Additionally, you can also pay your property tax online.

However, to use e-Khata, you must have a property identification (PID) number. Wondering what a PID number is? In Bangalore, each property is assigned a unique identification number. All the properties that were registered under the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP), the body which governed Bangalore until 2007, have been assigned a PID number.

In 2007, the BMP expanded to become BBMP. Post-2007, several municipal corporations and satellite towns were brought under its control. This is the reason why several properties still do not have a PID number.

If you do not have a PID number, you can always contact the nearest BBMP ward office.

How to apply for e-Khata

This is a relatively simple process. You can do it manually by visiting your nearest BangaloreOne centre. If you have a PID number, you can apply it online. Just log on to http://www.sakala.kar.nic.in.

Fill the application form and submit the relevant documents to make a successful submission.
Once the application is processed, a SAKALA acknowledgement number will be generated. Your Khata will be digitally signed. In case your form is rejected, you will be contacted by an officer for a resubmission.

This is one of the ways in which the state government is trying to digitalise all land-related documents.

Every property to get a unique id in Bangalore

After PID, the BBMP is now working on providing a digital address to each property in Bangalore.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the authority has collaborated with Keonics for its digital identification number project, also known as DiGi- 7.

Each unique identity will be seven-digit alphanumeric, with a combination of letter and numeral assigned to an area, sub-area, lanes, and bylanes. By March 2018, the BBMP had already assigned unique IDs to around 19 Lakh properties in the city.

You can get this ID for your home by sending an SMS or calling BBMP’s call centre. You can also download the DiGi-7 navigator mobile app. Search for the DiGi by using SAS application number, new PID number, or old PID number

Request through SMS

• Type BBMP PID and send it to 161
• Type BBMP SAS and send it to 161

Call the BBMP call centre

080 22660000; visit the ward office; or visit www.bbmp.gov.in