Former Mysuru Mayor Criticizes Karnataka's e-Khata System Failure
In a significant development, former Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) mayor Shivakumar has made serious allegations regarding the state's e-Khata system, claiming it has been completely non-functional across Karnataka for the past two months. This prolonged technical failure has reportedly caused widespread hardship to citizens who depend on this digital platform for property-related documentation.
System Failure Even in Chief Minister's Home District
Shivakumar pointed out the particularly troubling situation in Mysuru city, which happens to be the home district of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to the former mayor, obtaining an e-Khata document has become almost impossible in this region, highlighting the severity of the technical issues plaguing the system. Speaking to reporters during a press interaction, Shivakumar emphasized that the state government should have conducted thorough studies of both advantages and disadvantages before making e-Khata mandatory for citizens.
Criticism of Government's Implementation Strategy
The former mayor strongly criticized what he called the government's hurried decision-making process, which he claims has led to massive confusion among Karnataka's residents. Shivakumar specifically mentioned problems with the Kaveri software that powers the e-Khata system, stating it is not functioning properly despite being a crucial component of the digital infrastructure.
"While other states allow citizens to conveniently obtain e-Khata documents from the comfort of their homes, Karnataka's implementation has been completely mismanaged," Shivakumar alleged during his media address. He further contrasted this situation with the technological advancements seen in other regions, noting that some states have successfully incorporated artificial intelligence into their property documentation systems.
Questioning Minister's Credibility and Technological Backwardness
Taking a direct dig at IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge, Shivakumar questioned his moral authority to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance when he himself has failed to address the e-Khata system's technical mess. The former mayor expressed particular disappointment that despite Bengaluru's global reputation as a leading information technology and biotechnology hub, the current administration's handling of the e-Khata system has pushed technological systems back by nearly two decades.
"This technological regression is forcing ordinary people to struggle just to access basic government services that should be readily available through digital platforms," Shivakumar stated, emphasizing the irony of the situation given Karnataka's prominent position in India's technology landscape.
Practical Consequences and Financial Implications
The technical glitches in the e-Khata system have had severe practical consequences, according to Shivakumar's allegations. Property transactions across the state have reportedly come to a virtual standstill, pushing frustrated citizens toward courts and government offices in search of solutions. The former mayor claimed that people are unable to resolve their property documentation issues through the official website, creating opportunities for middlemen to exploit the situation by demanding money for services that should be freely accessible.
Shivakumar further highlighted the financial implications of the system failure, alleging that both the state government and local bodies have suffered substantial revenue losses due to the e-Khata breakdown. He specifically mentioned that the Mysuru City Corporation normally collects approximately Rs 200 crore in revenue annually through property taxes, but the current technical problems have made it difficult for citizens to even complete their tax payments.
Demands for Immediate Action and Comprehensive Survey
The former mayor presented several demands to address the ongoing crisis. He insisted that before enforcing the e-Khata system as mandatory, the government should conduct a comprehensive, door-to-door survey to complete data collection on all properties across the state. Shivakumar also demanded that the mandatory e-Khata rule be immediately withdrawn until the technical lapses are completely rectified, giving authorities a one-week deadline to implement necessary fixes.
"If these issues are not addressed within the specified timeframe, we will have no choice but to launch widespread protests to protect citizens' interests," Shivakumar warned, indicating the seriousness of the situation and his commitment to pursuing resolution through public action if necessary.
The former mayor's allegations highlight significant challenges in Karnataka's digital governance initiatives, particularly concerning property documentation systems that directly impact citizens' daily lives and financial transactions. His criticism raises important questions about implementation strategies for technology-driven governance reforms and the need for robust technical infrastructure before making digital systems mandatory for public use.
