Efforts to minimise litigation over properties are on, says Krishna Byre Gowda during meet in Shivamogga

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has stated that his department is making efforts to minimise litigation over land ownership by scanning all sale deeds, issuing e-Pauti khatas, and implementing other measures.

Speaking to reporters after conducting a review meeting with the officers of his department in Shivamogga on Thursday, Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda stated that his department had begun the process of issuing e-Pauti khatas in a campaign mode. There are 49 lakh land properties in the state whose owners are deceased. “We are going door-to-door to collect documents and issue e-Pauti khatas. So far, we have issued 12 lakh such khatas. If the legal heirs show interest and collaborate with the department, we can expedite the process. I appeal to farmers to obtain e-Pauti khatas without any cost,” the minister said.

Similarly, Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda stated that his department had begun the “Darkasthu Podi Abhiyana – Nanna Bhoomi.” Hundreds of farmers who were granted land several decades ago had no proper records. As a result, they could not transfer the land to their children, sell it, or obtain any loan benefits on the property. “The officials are voluntarily visiting the farmlands and issuing darkasthu podi based on existing records. In the last five years, only 8,542 darkasthu podi were issued. However, within the last year, since January 2025, we have issued 1.93 lakh darkasthu podi,” he said.

“The department has been recognising revenue villages for the benefit of people residing in those areas. Families have been receiving documents for their houses in these locations. ‘In the last 1,000 days since the Congress government came to power, 2.2 lakh families have received their documents,” he said.

The minister said that the government would digitise the entire survey process in the coming days. He has set up a team to begin this process. In the days to come, along with the RTC, the people will receive a sketch.

“We will scan all sale deeds from the year 1857. The scanning of sale deeds registered since 2004 has been going on. So far, we have scanned 67 crore pages. This will help track the history of ownership, and people will be able to obtain encumbrance certificates more easily. With this, we will ensure transparency in records. These efforts will help minimise litigation over properties,” the minister said.

Earlier, Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda reviewed the progress made by the officers of Shivamogga district in issuing e-Pautis, khatas, darkastu podi, and digitising records. He also reprimanded the officers for the delay in completing the tasks. At one point, he told some officers to transfer to other departments if they did not wish to work in the Revenue Department

MLC Balkees Banu, Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Additional DC Abhishek V. and others were present at the meeting.