Bangalore, Karnataka - In a bid to streamline and modernize the cumbersome process of approving building plans for residential homes in the city, Deputy Chief Minister and Bangalore  Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced the forthcoming introduction of an innovative Automated Plan Approval (APA) system. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to expedite the plan approval process and eradicate corruption, marking a significant milestone in the realm of urban development.

The APA system, scheduled to be launched in the near future, will be a game-changer for property owners looking to construct houses on plots measuring up to 50/60 feet within Bangalore . To qualify for this new system, property owners must ensure their plans are meticulously crafted by certified architects, ensuring a high standard of construction.

Under the new APA system, the process will be as straightforward as it is efficient. Property owners will be required to upload their meticulously prepared building plans into the automated system, which will then perform a thorough examination of the documents. This automated scrutiny is aimed at enhancing transparency and significantly reducing the risk of corruption in the approval process.

In a groundbreaking move, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has mandated the Bruhat Bangalore  Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bangalore 's civic body, to expedite the creation and implementation of this cutting-edge system.

One of the most significant advantages of the Automated Plan Approval system is its ability to make the entire process more transparent, as D.K. Shivakumar affirmed. Property owners will no longer have to endure the hassles of visiting BBMP offices for approvals; instead, they will simply pay the fixed fees for the service, further reducing opportunities for unethical practices.

However, it's important to note that the APA system is exclusively designed for individual home builders on sites measuring 50/60 feet and is not applicable to builders involved in constructing apartment complexes.

Boosting Property Tax Revenues Through Innovation

In addition to streamlining the plan approval process, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar unveiled the government's ambitious plan to replace the existing Self Assessment of Property Tax Scheme. This move is intended to significantly augment property tax revenues and rectify issues associated with underreporting of property values.

Shivakumar asserted that Bangalore  has the potential to collect substantially more tax revenue than it presently does. At present, the BBMP garners an average of Rs 3,000 crore annually in property tax. Shivakumar highlighted that property owners have been exploiting loopholes to declare lower property values, depriving the civic body of much-needed funds.

To combat such practices and bolster the city's revenue, the government will soon embark on issuing digital property documents to property owners after a meticulous inspection of their properties. To facilitate this process, the Survey, Settlement, and Land Records Department has initiated a comprehensive survey of all properties listed under the Urban Property Ownership Records (UPOR). The UPOR data will then be seamlessly integrated with BBMP's database, ultimately resulting in a revamped and more effective tax system.

This transformative undertaking was lauded by BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath, who acknowledged that the integration of UPOR data with the BBMP's records would be instrumental in shaping the future of property taxation in Bangalore.

As the city gears up for these groundbreaking changes, Bangalore's residents and property owners can look forward to a more efficient, transparent, and technologically advanced approach to construction and property taxation, ultimately benefitting the development and growth of the vibrant city.