CM Shivakumar Discusses Draft Apartment Ownership Act With 500 Property Owners

On July 15, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda held a public consultation on the draft Karnataka Apartment Ownership & Management Act (KAOMA) with over 500 apartment owner representatives at Professor U. R. Rao Bhavan on Sankey Road. During the session, the Chief Minister noted that decentralising governance into five new city corporations would help improve civic administration and speed up local issue resolution in rapidly-growing areas, including Electronic City.

The interaction, which focused on the draft KAOMA 2025/2026, aimed to establish a modern legal framework for apartment ownership and management. According to the Bangalore Apartments’ Federation (BAF), the high turnout reflected the strong interest among apartment communities for updated regulations.

Chief Minister Shivakumar assured residents that the proposed law is designed to protect the interests of homebuyers, resolve long-pending property and civic issues, and ensure complete ownership rights. He stated that the government is committed to addressing the challenges faced by apartment owners through dialogue rather than litigation.

"The voice of the people must become the voice of the government. We want to resolve issues through dialogue. Let us all work together as ‘Team Karnataka’," Shivakumar said during the consultation.

Residents and stakeholders have until August 5 to submit their feedback on the draft Bill by emailing [email protected]. The Chief Minister promised that all suggestions would be deliberated upon and incorporated where possible before the draft Bill is tabled in the upcoming session of the Karnataka Assembly.

Addressing governance reforms, Shivakumar highlighted the state's "e-khata revolution," noting that nearly 26 lakh e-khatas have been issued out of approximately 40 lakh properties in Bengaluru. He also acknowledged concerns regarding delays by some developers in transferring property documents, promising that the government would engage with builders to ensure a transparent transfer process.

Additionally, the Chief Minister outlined broader infrastructure projects aimed at addressing Bengaluru's challenges, including the Cauvery Phase-V water supply scheme, groundwater recharge initiatives, improved underground drainage, and the 132-km Bengaluru Business Corridor. He also mentioned that making rainwater harvesting mandatory in apartment complexes is under consideration.

The event was also attended by Ministers Byrathi Suresh and K.J. George, BDA Chairperson N.A. Harris, and KPCC Apartment Cell chairperson Rajeev Gowda.