Mangaluru: The government will open two more centres to receive applications for property cards in Mangaluru.

The government has made property card mandatory for all land transactions, including availing of home loans, in 32 villages in Mangaluru City limits from February 1, 2019.

However, majority of the property owners are yet to receive the property card. Hence, the revenue department will take necessary initiatives to open two more centres to receive applications from property owners in the city, said Ivan D’Souza, parliamentary secretary to the revenue minister.

While the total number of properties in the city as on February 22 is 1,52,216, final approval has been given only for 25,271 property cards, Ivan said. “Property card is a very useful document which makes land transactions smooth. Though the move of introducing property cards in the city is largely welcomed by all sections, including advocates, builders and property owners, many are facing difficulties in availing the same. Hence, I have held discussions with the deputy commissioner and also with Munish Moudgil, commissioner, survey & settlement, revenue department. The department commissioner will be visiting Manglauru soon to solve the problems. Currently, four tahsildars and nearly 30 surveyors are working to issue property cards. Opening of two more centres will speed up the process,” he said.

On affidavit-based land conversion scheme introduced by the revenue department, Ivan said the new system helps people convert their agriculture land for non-agriculture purposes by submitting a declaration made by the applicant in an affidavit filed online. Earlier, land owners had to submit more than 20 documents to convert their farm land for non-agriculture purposes. However, with the new system, an applicant needs to submit RTC copy for the current year, copy of the mutation record, and an 11E sketch if applicable, along with an affidavit and application, Ivan said.