BBMP: Census has not started in three zones; Tenders invited

6 lakh plants and trees census in 5 zones

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: A census of six lakh plants and trees has been conducted in five zones under BBMP jurisdiction, and a fresh one is yet to be started in three more zones.

The plant and tree census, which was supposed to be completed a year ago, is in progress in five zones. A fresh tender has been invited in three more zones, and the process is yet to begin.

A census of trees in Bengaluru should be conducted and made public. The High Court had directed the BBMP in 2019 to start the census process within three months. However, the census is not yet complete.

The plant and tree census work began in eight zones in October 2023. The census work, which was supposed to be completed by the end of March 2024, was slow for a year since it began. The mobile app prepared by the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Center (KSRSAC) in September 2024 gave a boost. However, the census was not conducted due to the failure of the contractors who won the tender in Mahadevapura, Dasarahalli, and East zones. Hence, fresh tenders have been called for the census in these three zones. 

Citizens have been allowed to know the details of the census of plants and trees conducted in the city. The age of the plant and tree, its species, name-biological name, and its circumference have been published experimentally on 

https://kgis.ksrsac.in/test/ 

to get tree information. 

Information can be obtained ward-wise along with a tree image. By selecting a ward on the extensive map and clicking on the image of a tree identified on a crossroad or main road, its information will be available. Each tree has been given the ward name and numbers. 

‘The website is in the experimental stage and any changes can be made. Therefore, citizens can send suggestions. Right now, the information is available only in English. Finally, when the website is officially launched, information will be available in Kannada as well, said B.L.G. Swamy, DCF of the Forest Department.

A census of all trees with a circumference of 5.5 cm or a height of 1 meter, including species, is being conducted. A number is entered on each tree during the census. Once everything is finalized, the picture of the tree, its number, along with its age and species information can be obtained through the barcode. A barcode/QR code board related to the trees visible when standing on one side of the road will be put up. Through this, the public will be able to get complete information about the trees in their area, he said.

Complete in three months: Swamy

‘As per our plan, the census of trees should have been completed by this time. The organizations that had been contracted to conduct the census in three zones did not carry out the census work to the expected extent. These same organizations had also been contracted in other zones. The census work is in progress in three zones. Therefore, the contract has been cancelled and fresh tenders have been called for the tree census in Dasarahalli, West and Mahadevpur zones. Everything will be completed in three months,' said BBMP Forest Department DCF B.L.G. Swamy.

6 lakhs; Tree census work completed

5; Census work in progress in South, R.R. Nagar, Bommanahalli, Yelahanka, East zones

3; New tender for census in Dasarahalli, West, Mahadevpur zones

2.60 lakhs; Estimated number of trees to be censused in each zone

₹48.60 lakhs; Cost of tree census in each zone

 ‘Greater Bengaluru region’ among 6 Satellite Towns; 50% of gram panchayats included in 86 gram panchayats!

 Greater Bengaluru Focus on 5 urban corporations

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: The area of ​​Greater Bengaluru region is expected to double that of BBMP, and the government is looking to form five urban corporations that will include industrial areas around the city.

With the Greater Bengaluru Administration Act- 2024 coming into force, the government is set to announce the area of ​​Greater Bengaluru region soon. The government, which was waiting for the Governor’s assent, is gearing up to notify the Greater Bengaluru areas, which have already been mostly finalized, as soon as possible.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had said a year and a half ago, ‘If the industrial areas and developed areas outside the city, including Electronic City, come under the jurisdiction of the corporation, the revenue will increase. A thought is being given in that regard.’ It will now be a reality in the ‘Greater Bengaluru Region’.

The areas of Bengaluru Urban District, including Bengaluru Rural District, and the areas notified by the government will be called ‘Greater Bengaluru Region’. There are 86 Gram Panchayats in Bengaluru Urban District, of which 50% are Gram Panchayats, and some areas of rural and Ramanagara District will also come under the jurisdiction of ‘Greater Bangalore’.

The Cabinet on January 30 approved the implementation of the ‘Greater Bengaluru Integrated Suburban Development Project’ to develop six sub-cities around Bengaluru City under Section 15(1)(b) of the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act 197. Accordingly, the Bidadi Integrated Satellite Town Project has been implemented and notification has also been issued for the acquisition of 10,000 acres of land. The process of Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Doddaballapur, Magadi Integrated Satellite Town Projects is yet to be initiated. 

Considering most of the area between these six sub-cities as the ‘Greater Bengaluru Area’, the government had approved the development of the Satellite Towns. Since the Bengaluru Development Authority also comes under the ‘Greater Bengaluru Administration Act-2024’, all the areas of the BDA will come under the ‘Greater Bengaluru Area’. 

BBMP is currently in the area of ​​708 square kilometers, to which an area of ​​250 square kilometers will be added, making ‘Greater Bengaluru ’ of about 1050 square kilometers. The BBMP Reorganization Committee (Brand Bengaluru’s Committee) had reported that urban corporations can be formed with 5 corporations, two zones in each corporation, a total of 400 wards, and 80 wards for each corporation. However, the area of ​​Greater Bengaluru is likely to increase more than this. 

The area of ​​about 1,500 square kilometers between the five sub-cities will be called ‘Greater Bengaluru Area’. As five sub-cities will be formed along the boundaries of the urban corporations, it is expected that rural and Ramanagara districts will also see maximum development along with the urban district.

One corporation for a population of 30 lakhs!

The city has a population of about 1.50 crores, and it is possible to form a city corporation for a population of about 30 lakhs in the ‘Greater Bengaluru Region’. As per the act, they will be named as ‘Bengaluru Central City Corporation’, ‘Bengaluru North City Corporation’, ‘Bengaluru South City Corporation’, ‘Bengaluru East City Corporation’, and ‘Bengaluru West City Corporation’.

Although there is an idea to form three city corporations, it will increase the scope of the city corporation and hinder the development of local areas. Therefore, officials said that a small city corporation has been favored.

The act states that each city corporation to be formed in the ‘Greater Bengaluru Region’ should have a population of at least 10 lakhs. The conditions imposed are that there should be five thousand residents per square kilometer, the annual income of each municipal corporation should not be less than ₹300 crore, and the proportion of jobs in non-agricultural activities should be less than 50 percent of the total jobs.

BBMP, Gram Panchayats to be abolished

The government should issue a draft notification identifying the boundaries of the municipal corporations and allow 30 days for objections. As soon as the final notification is issued, the BBMP and Gram Panchayats under the jurisdiction of the new municipal corporations will cease to exist. The government itself will handle all the responsibilities until the new municipal corporations come into existence. The ‘Greater Bangalore Authority’ headed by the Chief Minister will take all the responsibility.

‘Greater Bengaluru Region’ boundary extent!

Electronic City, Attibele, Jigani Industrial Area, Bommasandra, Sarjapur, Bagalur, Rajanukunte, Hersaghatta, Dasanpur, Makali, Tavarekere, Kumbalagode, Kaggalipur, Harohalli.

 Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave his assent to the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Act – 2024’  

‘Greater Bangalore’ administration’  in action

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: The ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Act – 2024’ has been notified to divide the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and form a maximum of seven municipal corporations.

Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot had sought some clarifications on the bill on March 25. He gave his assent to the bill on April 24. Thus, the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Act – 2024’ was notified on Thursday evening.

As per the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Act – 2024’, the government will declare the scope of the ‘Greater Bangalore’ area. Not only the Bangalore Urban district, but also areas notified by the government, including some areas of Bangalore Rural and Ramanagara districts, will come under the scope of ‘Greater Bangalore’. The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), municipal corporations, and gram panchayats under this scope will be abolished.

According to the ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Act-2024’, there will be a three-tier administrative system – ‘Greater Bangalore Authority’ (GBA), Corporation and Wards. The ‘Greater Bangalore Authority’ must be formed within 120 days of the enactment of the Act. There is a provision to create seven municipal corporations of 150 wards each within the GBA. Each municipal corporation will be named with the first word ‘Bengaluru’.

The GBA will finalize the general cadre and recruitment rules for municipal corporations. Group A and Group B employees will also be appointed by the GBA itself. C and D employees can be appointed by the municipal corporation commissioners, but no disciplinary action can be taken against them. The responsibilities of preparing the city plan given to the municipal corporation under Article 243 ZE of the Constitution have also been given to the ‘Bengaluru Mahanagara Yojana Samiti’ (BMPC) to be formed under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister will be the Chairman of the ‘Greater Bangalore Authority’, and the Bangalore Development Minister will be the Vice-Chairman. The Ministers of Home, Urban Development, Transport, Energy and the MLAs of Greater Bangalore, Chief Commissioners, Mayors of Municipal Corporations, two members nominated by each Municipal Corporation, BDA, Water Board, BMTC, BMRCL, BESCOM, City Police Commissioner, BMLTA CEO, BSWML MD, Chief Urban Planner of Greater Bangalore Urban Project, Chief Engineer of Greater Bangalore, and Director of Fire Brigade will be the members.

The Authority is responsible for distributing the grants released by the State Government to the Municipal Corporations and will supervise the inter-departmental works and projects. The Authority will also handle major projects like flyovers and tunnels.

The jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporations and the division of their wards, the number of wards, their reservation may be determined by the State Government through notification. The jurisdiction of Greater Bangalore may be determined by the State Government through notification from time to time.

There shall be a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Joint Commissioners, Standing Committee, Zonal Committee, Ward Committees and Area Councils in the Municipal Corporations.

Governor seeks clarification

The bill, which was passed in the Legislative Assembly on March 13, was sent for the Governor's assent on March 17. The Bangalore Town Hall Organization and a delegation of BJP leaders had submitted a petition to the Governor, saying that the bill is against the 74th Amendment of the Constitution and will create problems like the one that occurred during the division of the Delhi Metropolitan Corporation. They also demanded that the bill be stayed. 

The Governor had returned the bill on March 25 saying, "I have examined both the petitions. This bill covers legal and public interest matters. Therefore, clarification is required on the important issues raised in both the petitions." The state government had given the necessary response to it.

• 22 September 2014: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked retired Chief Secretary B.S. Patil-led expert committee formed
• 12 June 2023: Reconstitution of the expert committee formed to submit a report on the division of BBMP
• 18 July 2023: Expert committee reconstituted again and renamed as BBMP Reform Committee (Brand Bangalore Committee)
• 8 July 2024: BBMP Reform Committee submits draft of ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Bill – 2024’ to the government
• 22 July 2024; Cabinet approves ‘Greater Bangalore Administration Bill – 2024’ to create a new administrative system in three phases
• 23 July 2024: Bill introduced in the Legislative Assembly
• 25 July 2024; Approval to form a joint House committee to scrutinize the bill as demanded by the opposition parties
• 22 August 2024: Formation of a joint scrutiny committee of the Legislative Assembly under the leadership of MLA Rizwan Arshad
• 21 February 2025; Submission of a scrutiny report to the Speaker by the joint scrutiny committee of the Legislative Assembly
• 5 March 2025; Presentation of the Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill-2024 in the Legislative Assembly as per the recommendation of the scrutiny committee
• 10 March 2025: Approval of the bill in the Legislative Assembly
• 12 March 2025: Approval of the bill in the Legislative Council with some amendments
• 13 March 2025; Approval again in the Legislative Assembly with amendments
• 17 March 2025; Bill sent to Raj Bhavan for the Governor's assent
• 25 March 2025; Governor withdraws bill seeking clarification
• April 24, 2025; Governor signs Greater Bengaluru Administration Bill-2024

2 to 7; Municipal Corporations

100 wards to 125 wards; Scope of each municipal corporation

30 months; Term of office of mayor, deputy mayor

Elections after August 15: Government affidavit

‘Elections for the municipal corporations of Bengaluru will be held after August 15. By then, all the processes will be completed and ward and reservation details will be submitted to the State Election Commission,’ the state government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court.

As applied to the ongoing case between the state government and Shivaraju regarding the conduct of elections to BBMP, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department S.R. Umashankar had filed an affidavit on February 22.

The state government has tabled the ‘Bengaluru Administration Bill – 2024’ (GBA) in the legislature, and a joint committee of the legislature will also submit a report on it. The bill will be tabled and approved in the budget session to be held in March, he said.

The bill will be signed by the Governor by March 31, 2025. The government will divide the BBMP and form new corporations by May 15. The boundaries of the wards of the corporations will be marked and the redistricting work will be completed by July 15. By August 15, reservation will be fixed for the wards, a final notification will be issued and submitted to the State Election Commission for conducting elections, the certificate explains.

  BBMP work order given from transferred EE; CTC, accused of editing attendance book

Dasarahalli: Illegality in ₹25 crore work

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: There are loopholes in the ₹25 crore work carried out under the Chief Minister's Amrutha Nagarotthana scheme in the BBMP Dasarahalli division, and it has been demanded that the bill payment be stopped

Former MLA from Dasarahalli assembly constituency R. Manjunath has written a letter to BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath with a 44-page document in this regard, demanding an investigation into the work.

‘Mecadez Core Technology has been given a work order on March 24, 2024, as the Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the road and drainage development works around Shettyhalli, Brindavan Layout, Babanna Layout, Saptagiri Layout, NMH Layout, Sridevi Layout in the Dasarahalli zone under the development project of 110 villages belonging to BBMP. Engineer Dharanendra Kumar, the executive engineer of the Dasarahalli division who was given the work order, was transferred on March 11 itself. It is illegal for Dharanendra Kumar to sign the work order two days after the transfer,’ he complained.

‘It is a crime to prepare two Transfer of Charge Certificates (CTCs) and also to alter the signatures in the attendance book. It is written in the attendance book of Dasarahalli division that Dharanendra Kumar has been transferred since March 11. Dharanendra Kumar, who was transferred to the TVCC division at the central office, has signed the attendance book there since March 12. Later, the attendance book was corrected,’ said Manjunath, who has also attached documents obtained by RTI activist M.H. Nandish in the complaint.

‘Under the guidance of K.V. Ravi, who was the chief engineer of Dasarahalli zone, the attendance book and TVC copy were corrected, and action should be taken against all the officers who helped issue work orders to ineligible organizations. Even though all the work has not been done as per the work orders, the officers have come forward to pay the bills. No bills should be paid,’ demanded Manjunath.

We are victims in politics: Dharanendra Kumar

‘We officers are becoming victims in the politics between the current and former MLAs in Dasarahalli. I only gave the work order for the road and sewerage development work costing ₹25 crore. I was transferred from the post of Executive Engineer on March 11, 2024. The Certificate of Transfer of Charge (CTC) was prepared on that day. I also signed it. However, I worked there until March 14 as per the orders of the Dasarahalli Chief Engineer. Therefore, I officially gave the CTC on March 14. I only gave the work order for the work on March 13. I do not know how the work was done. I am ready for any investigation,' said Executive Engineer Dharanendra Kumar.

Work replaced: Manjunath

'They have illegally prepared a bill by including the roads that were developed in the ₹25 crore works, leaving the works in the original Detailed Project Report (DPR) behind. The work order given by the transferred engineer is illegal. "I have also complained to the BBMP Chief Commissioner and Zonal Commissioner to take action in this regard," said former MLA R. Manjunath.

BBMP schools have percolation pits

 Along with renovation and upgradation works, environmental protection work

BBMP schools have percolation pits

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: BBMP is working to catch and divert rainwater in school premises. Lakhs of liters of water will reach the ground during this year's monsoon season.

Renovation and upgradation works are underway in schools in the western and southern zones of BBMP, and along with this, percolation pits are being constructed to divert rainwater.

Tenders for the works have been finalized, and it is planned to complete all the works before the start of schools after the summer vacation. However, a deadline of six months has been given for some construction works. However, it has been decided to construct percolation pits  before the monsoon season.

Special designs have been created for children and parents to sit and walk in the school premises. A garden, installation of toys in the school premises, a design for growing plants on the roof, and models to make the entrance of the school attractive and upgrade it to international standards have also been created. However, due to lack of funds to spend so much, everything is being carried out with the money released.

Development works including cesspool facilities have been undertaken in 18 schools in the western zone at a cost of ₹3.35 crore. ₹1.45 crore is being spent on 11 schools in the southern zone.

‘The works are being undertaken by the BBMP’s planning department. The dilapidated areas are being given a new look, including the development and renovation of school buildings. Rainwater harvesting arrangements are being made, and cesspools are being built wherever there is a slope in the school premises. The depth of the cesspool is being decided based on the area of ​​the school premises and the amount of rainwater flowing,’ informed Engineer Mahantesh, Executive Director of the Planning Department of the southern zone.

Efforts to increase groundwater: Preeti

percolation pits  are being constructed according to the available space in the school premises. No devices are being installed to measure how much water will be collected. Therefore, the amount cannot be stated. BBMP Education Special Commissioner Preeti Gehlot said that a small effort is being made in the school premises to increase the groundwater level by collecting rainwater.

30; Construction of percolation pits  in schools

12; Schools in the South Zone

18; Schools in the West Zone

4.5 meters; Depth of each percolation pit

2.4 meters; Circumference of each percolation pit

3,000 liter’s; Capacity of a cistern to hold rainwater at one time

₹50 thousand; Cost of construction of a percolation pit

 BBMP: Non-residential properties to be charged annually instead of annually

Solid Waste: User fee implemented 

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The BBMP has revised the order that had issued the solid waste management user fee (WUF) for non-residential properties to be charged annually.

The April 5 order had stated that a monthly fee ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹35 lakh would be charged for non-residential buildings. It has been revised and announced as an annual fee.

The BBMP Solid Waste Management By-law was notified in 2024, which announced the amount of cess and user fee to be charged by whom. Senior officials including BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath claimed that the BBMP has implemented a lower fee after five years. 

As per the by-law, there is a user fee of ₹200 per month for all residential buildings. According to the user fee implemented by the BBMP, those with buildings up to 600 square feet have been charged ₹10 per month, and ₹50 per month for buildings between 601 square feet and 1,000 square feet. Officials say that this will not be a big burden on the poor. For residential buildings the swm user fee is ₹10 to ₹400.

If you live in your own building and rent out the houses above or below, that building has been determined as non-residential (mixed-use property). Thus, a maximum of 60 percent of the property tax will have to be paid as user fee. If the building is completely rented out, a maximum of 30 percent of the property tax will have to be paid.

A user fee per square foot has been fixed for hotels, lodges, and star hotels, and a maximum limit of 60 percent of the property tax has been fixed for these buildings as well. BBMP officials explained that buildings in this category that have waste treatment units are not allowed to pay user fees.

SWM user fee: ₹720 per year for a 30 ft x 40 ft plot

There was no solid waste cess for vacant plots till the financial year 2024-25. Cess and user charges have been levied from 2025-26. The owner of a vacant plot has to pay a user charge of 60 paise per sq ft annually.

The waste management user charge for a 1,200 sq ft (30 ft x 40 ft) plot is ₹720 per year. However, as per the Solid Waste Management (SWM) By-law, 20 paise per sq ft per month was fixed. Accordingly, ₹240 per month was to be paid, which is ₹2,880 per year. As per the user charge implemented by BBMP, ₹720 will have to be paid. Since both cess and user charges were not there earlier, this time, the property tax will increase by 20 to 200 percent.

Spitting on the road: ₹1,000 fine

As per the BBMP SWM bye-law, littering on the road or in public areas can be punished with a fine of ₹1,000. If the same act is done again, a fine of ₹2,000 can be imposed for each subsequent offence.

If household waste is not segregated, anyone, including officials, who collect mixed waste, can be fined ₹2,000. For subsequent cases, a fine of ₹3,000 is imposed.

If small commercial buildings give waste to unauthorized persons, a fine of ₹5,000 can be imposed for the first time, ₹10,000 for large commercial buildings, and ₹15,000 for bulk waste generators.

Waste Management User Fee as per BBMP SWM Bye-Law

Category; Fee (Monthly Fee)

All types of residential; ₹200

For commercial and institutional waste generators

For waste generators up to 5 kg per day; ₹500

For waste generators up to 10 kg per day; ₹1,400

For waste generators up to 25 kg per day; ₹3,500

For waste generators up to 50 kg per day; ₹7,000

For waste generators up to 100 kg per day; ₹14,000

Vacant site; 20 paise per sq ft per month 

 BBMP Budget: ‘Doubled’ Expectations for Resource Mobilization

BBMP: Focus on Uncollected Money

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The BBMP budget, which has set its sights on collecting more than ‘double’ money from resources that have not been collected for years, has set its sights on 50 percent more funds than last year.

In 2025-26, excluding state and central government grants and World Bank loans, the BBMP needs to collect ₹11,149.17 crore resources. In 2024-25, including central and state government grants, the amount collected was ₹10,318 crore. Therefore, it has decided to increase the existing collection.

Advertisement tax, e-account transfer, property rent, crematorium fees, OFC taxes are estimated to almost double from last year. These collections have achieved only half of the expected performance in previous years.

In addition to the state government's ₹4,000 crore grant, BBMP should provide ₹2,000 crore to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) every year. It has been said that the money collected from the advertisement policy and premium FAR will be given, but there is no sign of it being collected.

₹1,360 crore should be provided this year for the 'Brand Bangalore' projects. This money should be transferred to escrow from the corporation's resources. If that is not possible, the Brand Bangalore projects will be stopped

₹3,500 crore will be spent on administration, staff expenses and solid waste management. About ₹2,000 crore will be spent on operations and maintenance. All the money coming from BBMP's property tax will be enough for this. Only when the other expected revenues come in will the ward-level works begin.

Discrimination in zones: Although the zone-wise budget, which had been said for some years, has not been presented, the details of how much money is being given to which zone and which program are explained in the book ‘Budget Estimates’. Almost all the works have been kept at the center, and Mahadevapura, which pays the highest tax, has been given less works.

‘No money for people’s works’

‘They are trying to reach the sky by showing huge projects. Last year’s budget of ₹13 thousand crore has not been reached. The same projects that were said last year have been said again. Even if the government gives more funds, it goes to the SPV. There is no money in the BBMP to carry out the necessary works for the people of the city,’ complained Padmanabhar Reddy, former leader of the BBMP ruling party.

Budget receipt figures

₹12,371.63 crore; 2024-25 budget presentation

₹13,408.13 crore; Revised Budget 2024-25

₹10,318.10 crore; Total receipts in 2024-25

=

₹19,930.64 crore; Expected receipts in 2025-26

₹7,000 crore; State government grant

₹542.44 crore; Revenue grant

₹498 crore; Central government grant

₹238.50 crore; National Disaster Fund

₹500 crore; World Bank loan

Grant cut for Kempegowda Jayanti

The BBMP budget has cut ₹50 lakh for Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Day celebrations. The grant, which was ₹3 crore last year, is ₹2.5 crore this year. The grant given to the Peanut Council has been reduced from ₹60 lakh to ₹50 lakh. A ₹20 lakh cut has also been made for Dasara festivals in the city.

How much money for which zone?

Zone; Money (in ₹ crores)

Central; ₹1,027.82

East; ₹420.44

West; ₹414.56

South; ₹410.37

Yelahanka; ₹134.64

Mahadevapura; ₹193.04

Bommanahalli; ₹210.76

R.R. Nagar; ₹188.57

Dasarahalli; 98.94

 Zoning, class unit rates abolished, single fee for all zones

Parking fees in buildings reduced!

Bengaluru: A draft notification has been issued to re-fix the fees for parking areas in residential and non-residential buildings under the BBMP jurisdiction.

The BBMP Chief Commissioner issued the draft notification on March 29, fixing the unit fee as per the Unit Area Value (UAV). Seven days have been given to file objections.

UAV was decided in the zoning classification as per the notification dated March 28, 2016. As per the tax formula, 50 percent of the unit rate of the zoning classification (A, B, C, D, E F) and class (RCC, Red Oxide, Sheet/Tile) was collected as parking fee. It has been revised to fix the same parking area rates for all zonal classifications and classes of properties.

If a covered and stilt parking area is used for own or rental purposes in residential buildings, the fee will be ₹2 per square foot. Non-residential buildings will have to pay ₹3 per square foot, the draft notification said.

According to the new UAV rates, if there is a parking area of ​​150 square feet, the residential area will have to pay ₹2 per square foot per month, which will be ₹300. As per the tax formula, ₹600 will have to be paid per year. The fee for non-residential buildings will be ₹1,125. This fee will be lower than what is being paid now, officials said.

Revised annual parking fee (tax formula)

Residential: 150 square feet (parking area) x ₹2 (per square foot) x 10 months = ₹3,000. 20% of this amount = ₹600

Non-residential: 150 sq ft (parking area) x ₹3 (per sq ft) x 10 months = ₹4,500. 25% of this amount = ₹1,125

How much is the savings?

If the owner of such a building is paying about ₹780 annually for a 150 sq ft parking area, then such a building owner will have to pay ₹600.

Fee reduction: Munish Moudgil

‘As per the notification dated March 28, 2016, those who have mentioned the parking area at the time of determining the property tax are already paying the fee in the property tax itself. This fee will be reduced as per the new revision,’ said Munish Moudgil, Special Commissioner, Revenue Department, BBMP.

‘Instead of charging more for parking, all buildings should be encouraged to have parking areas. Therefore, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had suggested that the fee be reduced. Accordingly, a draft notification has been issued revising the fee.

‘The fee will be reduced by 30 percent for residential building owners who have already included their parking area in the property tax. There will be a 25 percent reduction for non-residential building owners. Overall, the BBMP will save about ₹5000 crore in property tax,’ he informed.

‘Those who have not included their parking area in the property tax can do so during this year’s property tax payment,’ he said.

Suspension of property tax payment

The BBMP’s property tax payment system has been suspended due to the inclusion of garbage management service fee in the property tax in the current financial year and revision in the parking fee.

On the website for paying property tax online, ‘Financial year 2024-25 has ended and the new financial year (2025-26) is starting. The online property tax payment system will be operational from 5 pm on April 3,’ the message has been published.

It was decided in the final days of the financial year to collect all the proposed fees through property tax. A new column needs to be created. Thus, the property tax system has been hampered, officials said.

E-Khata, New Khata suspended

The BBMP, which intends to collect fees and taxes more in the new financial year, has temporarily suspended the e-Khata and New Khata websites. ‘The software of the new Khata system has been temporarily suspended as maintenance work is being carried out on the property tax online system. The service will resume after April 4,’ it has been informed.

‘After entering all types of data in the e-Khata, New Khata system, a message is coming. If the software is not working or is temporarily blocked, no data should be allowed to be entered. This should have been informed earlier,’ said Chandrappa of Vijayanagar.