Mysuru: Encouraged by the response to its Special ‘Praja Seva’ e-Khata Campaign, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) will extend Phase-2 of the drive to all nine Zonal Offices in December. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha said, applications for e-Khatas would be received at Zonal Offices on the first and third Fridays of the month, while the documents would be issued on the third and fourth Fridays. 

If a designated Friday falls on a public holiday, the schedule will be postponed by a day. A Nodal Officer will be appointed for each Zone to oversee the collection of applications, verification and distribution of e-Khatas, she said. 

Regional Commissioner and MCC Administrator Nitesh Patil, along with the Commissioner and other senior officials, will also visit the campaign venues to ensure that middlemen and agents do not interfere in the process. 

“Certain touts attempted to bypass rules during the campaign. We have decided to leave no room for third-party agents and brokers. Citizens are encouraged to visit the Zonal Offices in person. For those requiring assistance with form filling or documentation, dedicated help desks will be established at the venues to guide property owners and ensure their e-Khatas are processed smoothly,” Savitha said. 

Demand to extend drive to other Local Bodies 

The special campaign was launched following complaints of delays and bribery by middlemen in the issuance of e-Khatas. Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil had received several grievances from citizens who alleged that agents were exploiting applicants. 

Agents demanded bribes ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000, with the money reportedly shared with local officials and computer operators to expedite applications. 

The special campaign sought to eliminate this practice by bringing the officials to a single venue. Applicants could submit their documents directly, pay the prescribed fee of around Rs. 175 and undergo digital verification. The e-Khatas were subsequently issued within 15 days. 

Following the response to the initiative, there is a growing demand to extend similar drives to other Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), including Zilla Panchayats (ZPs), Town Panchayats (TPs), City Municipal Councils (CMCs) and Town Municipal Councils (TMCs). 

Extending the campaign to these Local Bodies is expected to help citizens access the service more easily and reduce the role of intermediaries.