Karnataka opens e-Swathu application process for 30 lakh rural families
The state government will accept applications from November 2 to address documentation issues for properties in gramathana areas.
The Karnataka government has opened the e-Swathu application process for certain properties in gramathana areas, even if owners lack registered documents, according to Urban Acres. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre said the decision could benefit approximately 30 lakh families.
Applications will be accepted starting November 2, with the issuance of e-Swathu documents scheduled to begin in December. The move follows amendments to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Rules and updates to the e-Swathu-2 software.
For properties in gramathana areas without registered records, the government will conduct site inspections using electricity bills dated before April 7, 2025. The process also covers some residential or agricultural buildings on agricultural land and homes built under housing schemes where the authority confirms entitlement.
In Malnad areas, e-Swathu will be available for land next to a house. For agricultural land, the procedure for e-Swathu Form 11-B has been simplified, including properties for traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act.
Minister Khandre stated that the amendments would make over 90 per cent of rural properties eligible for Forms 11-A or 11-B. The combined area of the plot, including the courtyard and backyard, must be under 4,000 square feet.
The relaxation excludes plots formed by adding B-kharab land to revenue areas within gram panchayat limits, such as villages near Bengaluru. The government will maintain checks for court cases, ownership disputes, and complaints.