Bengaluru: Ownership of more than eight lakh agricultural land parcels across Karnataka has been transferred from deceased persons to their legal heirs as part of a special Pauti khata campaign launched by the revenue department. The process is still under way for over 42 lakh additional properties. The exercise follows identification of more than 50 lakh agricultural land parcels that were in the names of deceased owners during the statewide integration of records of rights, tenancy and crops (RTC) last year. These outdated records had prevented cultivators from accessing benefits under several state and central govt schemes. Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the issue of not formally transferring ownership had affected many farmers. To address this, the govt initiated a campaign to ensure mutation of land records in favour of legal heirs. The minister placed the details before the legislative council last week, while replying to an unstarred question raised by BJP’s CT Ravi. Gowda said the revenue department identified 50.2 lakh land parcels that were eligible for ownership transfer. Of these, 5.7 lakh parcels were transferred through Bhoomi kiosks in 2024. After the launch of the e-Pauti portal in June, ownership of another 2.4 lakh parcels was transferred in 2025. He said village administrative officers (VAOs) are responsible for initiating the process by collecting family trees, death certificates and other required documents from legal heirs, and verifying identities through e-KYC. “The revenue department has fixed a timeline of 17 days, including a 15-day notice period, to issue Pauti khata. If objections are raised during the notice period, the case will be disposed of as per the Land Revenue Act,” Gowda said. The minister warned that action would be taken under the Sakala Services Act against officials who deliberately deny ownership transfer despite submission of valid documents. Officials said the initiative is aimed at updating land records and ensuring transparency in inheritance-related changes. Village accountants are conducting door-to-door visits, verifying claims through family trees and displaying names of claimants publicly in villages. “There are several properties currently in the possession of second- and third-generation heirs of deceased persons,” an official said. “There is a possibility of some individuals providing false information to deny women their rightful share of inheritance. Publishing the list in villages helps identify legitimate shareholders.” Officials said the exercise is expected to reduce corruption in heir documentation, minimise visits to village and taluk offices, save farmers’ time, streamline land ownership transfers and help prevent future disputes among heirs.
