From now on, urban local bodies (ULBs) will not entertain manual payment of property tax. All property owners have to pay property tax through the online portal — E-Aasthi — either by visiting a nearby urban local body office or on their own.
Minister for Urban Development U.T. Khader told presspersons on Monday that payment of tax, transfer of khatas and other property-related work would be done only online, from town panchayats to city corporations. This is to crack down on corruption and ensure transparency in collection of property tax, he said.
The Minister also said that all building and layout plans would now be approved online within 15 days. This will eliminate movement of people from one department to another seeking approval for various plans, he said. Only after all the requisite documents and plans are uploaded on the system will online approvals be given. These documents will bear digital signatures. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is to inaugurate this online approval system on Tuesday.
Individuals constructing houses on a 30x40 site can themselves upload plan documents and download self-certification. Individuals have to upload their e-signature and make payments online, he said. The objective is to remove clerical interface and bring in greater transparency, the Minister said.