Karnataka to launch unified portal to automate land functions shortly: Report
Bengaluru: In a move aimed at simplifying land-related processes for citizens, the Karnataka government is developing a Unified Land Management System (ULMS) — a digital platform designed to consolidate all land-related procedures under one paperless system. Once implemented, citizens will no longer need to visit multiple departments to get their work done.
All immovable properties in the state will be integrated into the ULMS, which is currently under development. According to a recent government order cited by Deccan Herald on Wednesday, four hundred officials in the Department of Town and Country Planning will be trained on handling the new technology platform. The platform will unify all land-related databases of the government, including those related to survey, settlement and land records (agricultural land), town planning approvals, Kaveri (property registration), and e-Aasthi (khatas).
Calling ULMS a “start-to-end solution” for land administration, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the system will ensure smooth coordination between departments. “A piece of land, from its origin till it is made into a site or becomes a property, will travel within ULMS from one department to another,” he explained. While the concept isn’t entirely new, Gowda noted, “a serious effort was never made. We are doing it seriously now.”
"Any property can be brought into existence and defined only by the survey department. From there, it goes to the revenue department if there is conversion required. If an approval is needed to form a layout, it goes to town planning. If one wants to sell land, it goes to Kaveri. From there, it goes to the local body for khata," DH quoted Gowda as saying.
"Things will move from one stage to another automatically. There will be no file movement. You don't have to go knocking on several doors to get one work done," he added.
Gowda emphasised that the initiative is focused on improving citizen experience. “The first aim is to make governance easy and reduce delays for citizens. This can also reduce the scope for frauds. Fewer frauds mean lesser litigation, and that ultimately translates to lower costs for citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered the release of Rs 2 crore to train officials on Geographic Information System (GIS). This was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his 2025-25 Budget.
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
