Server down becomes code for graft in Karnataka's sub-registrar offices
Across the state, the phrase "server down" has morphed into a thinly veiled signal for citizens to grease palms to move even routine paperwork. What was pitched as a corruption-free system has, in many places, become a sophisticated tool to collect illegal payments.
"E-governance in Karnataka was envisioned as a tool to ensure transparency and accountability in govt functioning, but its implementation has fallen short of expectations," said civic activist Vivek Menon.
"While digital platforms were meant to reduce human intervention and curb corruption, loopholes in the system have instead given rise to new forms of graft."
Menon said staff now manipulate digital records, delay online approvals, and exploit citizens unfamiliar with technology. "Further, being gatekeepers for approvals, officials cite delays and impose hurdles to extract money for clearances. The lack of robust auditing and cyber-vigilance has allowed a tech-savvy few to misuse the system for personal gain," Menon said.
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A 2022 Lokayukta investigation revealed misuse in 45 of 245 sub-registrar offices. Frequent crashes in the Kaveri property registration system enabled staff and middlemen to collect unofficial payments between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. Regular visitors claim the demand has now gone up by 20%.
E-khata services, designed to avoid human interference, are also being misused. Citizens in Bengaluru and other cities say they were made to pay Rs 3,000–15,000 extra for what was supposed to be an end-to-end online service.
"Sub-registrar offices have introduced mandatory 'tax' to get servers working," said multiple users on social media.
Vinay Chenagappa, a Bengaluru resident, said, "I was told the digital portal was 'down'—and directed to pay intermediaries outside the office. Money brings everything 'up'. Pay some to shops outside the sub-registrar office. Sad but it's the truth, without mandatory tax it's very difficult to get registration done… Registration offices have a daily collection… Before closing for the day, every single staff member gets his/her share.
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Real estate analyst Ravikanth Uday shared a similar experience: "The digital divide has further marginalised the poor and uneducated, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. E-governance should have empowered such citizens, but in many instances, it has become another bureaucratic hurdle. Without stronger oversight, transparency, and citizen engagement, Karnataka's digital transformation risks becoming a sophisticated facade for old-school corruption.
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Complaints also point to lopsided enforcement. "Middle-class citizens face scrutiny while real estate tycoons and builders proceed unchecked as they work under different 'payment' systems," said one user. Another added, "Without greasing palms it's very difficult... Officials demand Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 just to complete legal formalities."
In July 2024, the govt introduced mandatory counselling for sub-registrars and senior staff before transfers, hoping to break entrenched local networks.
But the move has had little effect. Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda has made surprise visits to some offices and warned erring officials, videos of which have been widely shared on social media, but systemic change remains elusive.
"While digitisation is intended to reduce human intervention, its effectiveness is undermined without robust transparency and enforcement measures," said civic advocate Mohd Hidayath. He recommended special courts for graft cases in sub-registrar offices and an anonymous whistleblower mechanism.
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