Simplifying the approval for conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, the State government on Wednesday launched an affidavit-based online land conversion system.
This is a hassle-free and transparent system that will significantly cut delays in land-conversion process, said Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande.
Speaking after launching the service, the Minister claimed that Karnataka is the first State to introduce such a system. Under the online system, applicants need to submit the latest record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC), a copy of the mutation record, a 11E sketch (only if there are multiple landowners) and an affidavit on a ₹200 stamp paper.
Pointing out that converting agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose had several problems and lacked transparency, the Minister said the process took anywhere between six months to one year. Applicants had to submit 20 to 25 documents from various departments and agencies.
He said once the application is filed online, it goes to the departments concerned. The time limit for the conversion process is now fixed at 60 days. Citizens can generate an affidavit online by visiting landrecords.karnataka.gov.in/citizenportal and fill up the required information. The applicant will have to print the affidavit on a ₹200 stamp paper and notarise it. The notarised affidavit can be scanned and uploaded on the portal.
The application will be routed electronically to all concerned departments for their opinion, for which a 30-day time limit has been fixed. If the departments do not submit their opinion within this time frame, the application will be processed for land conversion on the presumption that there is no objection. The deputy commissioner, after collecting the required fee from the applicant, issues a digitally-signed land conversion order or endorsement within 60 days from the day the application is filed. The conversion order can be downloaded from the portal.
Centre’s drought relief only on paper
Although the Centre has approved a drought relief of ₹949.49 crore for the 2018-19 kharif crop, the announcement has remained only on paper, said Revenue Minister R.V. Deshpande.
Speaking to presspersons on Wednesday, the Minister said with no official communication on the release so far, he would write to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh seeking early release of funds. “I will send the reminder letter in a day or two,” he said.
“When the Prime Minister visited Hubballi recently, I apprised him on the distress situation that small and marginal farmers are facing due to drought and appealed for early release of funds,” he said.
