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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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send a message that "Muslims are being targeted."
"I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi," he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, "People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline."
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of CM’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun. They were also said to have not actively participated in campaigning.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to CM Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the chief minister.
Rejecting allegations of factions within the party, Shivakumar said, "We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?"
"All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress," he added, saying there are no factions within the party and such claims are media-driven.
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
"We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together," he said.
