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Shivamogga civic rights forum has accused the City Corporation of illegal excess collection in property account transfer fees, calling it daylight robbery
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Shivamogga
The Shivamogga Civic Rights Protection Forum has accused the Shivamogga City Corporation of collecting excessive charges under the name of property account transfer fees, terming it “daylight robbery.” Forum General Secretary K.V. Vasanthkumar alleged that the corporation is acting against government circulars and continuing unlawful fee collection despite repeated complaints to the commissioner.
Speaking at a press conference, he said the Urban Development Department had issued clear circulars in 2006 and again in 2022 stating that a 2% account transfer fee should be levied on the stamp duty value of the property. He alleged that while other municipal corporations in the state are following the rule, Shivamogga City Corporation is violating it.
He gave an example stating that for a property valued at ₹1.10 crore, the permissible fee would be around ₹12,320 as per the circular. However, the corporation is reportedly charging about ₹55,000, which he claimed amounts to nearly 446% excess collection. He further alleged that officials are aware of the issue but have not acted on it.
The forum claimed that over ₹30 crore has been collected in excess from citizens over the years. It demanded that the additional amount be refunded to property owners and strict action be taken against officials responsible for the irregularities since 2006 and 2014.
Forum Organising Secretary Dr. A. Satish Kumar Shetty said the issue has become a “systemic corruption network,” alleging that bribes influence reduced charges in some cases. He urged immediate intervention by elected representatives and the Deputy Commissioner to stop the alleged malpractice.
He also requested affected citizens to submit transaction details and challan numbers to the forum to support future legal action. Forum President S.R. Gopal, Secretary S.P. Ashok Kumar, Janamejirao, Channaveerappa Gamanagatte, and others were present at the press meet.
