Employees of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) held widespread demonstrations on Tuesday, voicing strong objections against what they describe as a climate of fear and intimidation surrounding the processing of digital property records, known as e-khatas.
Protests Erupt Over Alleged Harassment and Suspensions
Staff members across GBA offices wore black badges and ribbons as a mark of protest. They formally submitted a representation to GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, pinpointing repeated threats allegedly made by Special Commissioner (Revenue) Munish Moudgil. The GBA Municipal Officers and Employees Welfare Association stated that employees have been subjected to undue pressure for several months, severely damaging morale and disrupting the smooth implementation of e-khata services.
A representative from the association claimed that officers are operating under constant fear, an environment they argue is detrimental to both administrative reform and efficient public service delivery. The protest also highlighted the "illegal suspension" of two officials: GBA South Zone Deputy Commissioner DK Babu and Revenue Officer Varalakshmi. To underscore their solidarity and concerns, the association organized a candlelight vigil on Monday evening.
Official Stance on E-Khata Rejections and Denial of Misconduct
In response to the brewing controversy, senior GBA officials clarified the grounds for rejecting e-khata applications. They emphasized that rejections should occur only for clear-cut reasons such as impersonation, specific court orders, or cases where the land is definitively identified as government property. Officials revealed that out of nearly 1,50,000 applications processed to date, approximately 25,000 have been rejected strictly based on these criteria.
They warned that arbitrary cancellations would harm citizens and erode trust in the system. A senior officer pointed out that applications from properties owned by high court judges, ministers, and top sportspersons have also faced rejection, adding, "We, not these officers who are rejecting the applications, are answering them."
However, Special Commissioner Munish Moudgil firmly denied any misuse of authority. He stated that no official has been suspended and mentioned the formation of a rejection audit team to ensure accountability and transparency. "The idea of digitising khata records is to eliminate arbitrary decisions, not encourage them," he asserted.
Deadline Looming and Calls for Resolution
Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao acknowledged the staff's grievances, assuring that genuine concerns would be taken seriously. He committed to working towards smoother revenue operations, stating, "We want to ensure that genuine grievances are addressed. There is a lot of work lined up in the coming year, and we will work towards ensuring better revenue. While I understand their concerns, we will look into their grievances seriously."
The protests coincide with the impending closure of the 100-day window for B khata to A khata conversion. Current figures show about 3,000 applications submitted, with only 35 verified and e-khatas issued so far. Protesting employees have urged the GBA administration to consider extending the application deadline. They argue this would allow for broader citizen participation without imposing excessive pressure on the already strained staff, facilitating a more orderly and fair process.
