BENGALURU: The Revenue department plans to conduct an inquiry into all Special Land Acquisition Officers (SLAOs) in the state. These officers are involved in the survey and valuation of properties, and also collection of final bills and receipts and submission of reports.
This decision was taken following a recent observation by the Supreme Court while hearing civil appeals of 2026 arising out of SLP(C) 215-216/2023. The apex court had noted that the rising number of appeals were due to lackadaisical functioning and possible official connivance, as in many cases even copy applications were not filed within the prescribed time.
Principal Secretary, Revenue department, Rajendra Kumar Kataria said an inquiry is being carried out into SLAOs in the department. In the meantime, the process to digitize all the documents and functions has also been taken up. The basic work of SLAOs is also being captured.
As per Revenue department data, there are around 160 SLAOs in Karnataka, who are involved with the Irrigation department, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board,
Bangalore Development Authority, Industries and Railways departments and National Highways Authority of India.
Department sources said the maximum discrepancies have been noted in irrigation, industrial, railway and housing projects where large or multiple cases are involved. “There are many instances where SLAOs have been found to be involved in malpractices.
There have been complaints of faulty evaluation of properties by applying the wrong formula, and many times, not applying logic. Collusion with agents was also found to be rampant,” the source added.
The next stage will see an inquiry into the working of assistant commissioners in Karnataka. The Revenue department is also communicating with the other departments where SLAOs are working to submit details of works and reports. “We are asking for digital and manual records.
They will be tallied with inquiry reports to know the reality. The delay in submission/filing of documents within the stipulated time will also be included in the inquiry reports. To further correct the anomaly and ensure no more incidents occur in future, standing instructions have been issued to all revenue officers across the state to digitally process and update all documents and applications. A dedicated software for daily operations has also been created,” a senior official added.