Small-scale industrialists, supported by activists of the Karunada Vijaya Sene district unit, staged a protest on Monday at the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) office in Belagavi, condemning delays and alleged negligence in issuing e-property and B-Khata certificates.
The protesters accused the BCC commissioner of suspending the issuance of e-property and B-account documents on technical grounds, claiming this had disrupted industrial activities and led to financial losses. Slogans were raised during the protest, following which a memorandum was submitted to the commissioner.
Suresh Itagi, district president of Karunada Vijaya Sene, said that the process of issuing e-property and B-Khata for properties linked to Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIDB) in Belagavi Auto Nagar had remained stalled for nearly 1.5 years.
He stated that despite repeated written and verbal representations by industrialists, workers, and property owners, BCC officials had failed to provide any clear response. Due to this delay, entrepreneurs are unable to access bank loans, while property sales, purchases, and transfers have been severely affected, leading to serious financial strain on small and medium industries.
The protesters also alleged discrimination, claiming that e-property certificates were being issued selectively to influential individuals, while ordinary industrialists faced unnecessary hurdles. They said this violated constitutional provisions on equality and the right to trade.
They warned that if no action is taken within eight days, they would file a complaint under the Sakala Act through CPGRAMS.
The BCC commissioner, who received the memorandum, assured the protesters that necessary action would be taken within 15 days after obtaining approval from the council meeting.
