Land conversion to be simplified soon, says Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda

The rules that simplify land conversion and define the procedures to be followed by revenue courts will be notified soon, said Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda in the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Wednesday.

Why the delay

Answering a question on the delay in notifying the rules following the amendment to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, the Minister said that there was delay as it involved many issues. The government was framing the rules for the first time in an elaborate manner since the Act came into effect in 1964, he pointed out. The draft rules were notified on September 17, and probably within a month, the final notification would be issued.

Elaborating on the rules, the Minister said that the purpose of the amendment was to simplify land conversion. With the amendment, there would be no requirement of land conversion if the plan of the construction was in tune with the master-plan.

On land conversion

“If the activity proposed is in accordance with the green, yellow and red zones, there is no need of seeking land conversion, as per the new rules. The applicant can directly approach the planning authority to get the plan approved. Similarly, in case the proposed construction is outside the planned area, the DC will have 30 days time to dispose of the application. On the 30th day, the land conversion certificate will be generated automatically, unless the officer rejects the application,” he stated.

The Minister said that the rules would stop the role of mediators, who had brought bad name to the officers and the government. The rules had been framed such that those setting up small-scale industries within two acres of land need not seek land conversion. Similarly, those taking up projects related to renewable energy would not require land conversion.

Court procedures

Further, the Minister explained that the rules would also define the procedures of the revenue courts. “All these years, the act allowed the revenue officials to hold courts. However, there were no rules to define the procedures. There were instances where officials issued orders exceeding their powers. Now, we have framed rules and defined the procedures, including a summary enquiry and a formal enquiry,” he said.

The draft rules, which run into 29 pages, would be finalised soon and the final notification would be issued within a month, he added.