Bengaluru: Weeks after increasing milk prices and bus fares, the govt may impose another financial burden on people, with the stamps and registration department proposing to hike the guidance value of immovable properties.If approved, this will be the second revision since Congress formed the govt in 2023. The previous revision, which saw an increase of 15-30%, came into effect on Oct 1, 2023.Sources say the govt intends to revise guidance values at least once every two years. The department began the exercise last year, holding a series of meetings with revenue officials and sub-registrars to assess prevailing market rates to determine the extent of the proposed increase.However, the govt’s decision to double stamp duty from 1% to 2% of the guidance value, effective Aug 31, 2025, and the crisis over a change in chief minister delayed the proposal.Officials said district-level consultations have now been completed. The department is expected to finalise the proposal after a few more divisional-level meetings.Confirming the development, Mullai Muhilan MP, inspector general of registration and commissioner of stamps, told TOI that the exercise had reached its final stage and the govt is likely to take a decision soon.The proposed increase will vary depending on location, road connectivity and development potential. Properties abutting national highways are likely to attract higher values than those along state highways, while those without road connectivity may see a lower valuation. Demand driven by upcoming residential, industrial and commercial projects will also be factored in.“Areas around Bengaluru are likely to see substantial increases,” an official said. “Properties near district and taluk headquarters may also attract higher values than those in villages. Once finalised, the revised rates will be published in a gazette notification.”Meanwhile, chief minister DK Shivakumar Sunday neither confirmed nor denied the proposal. “No information regarding a revision of guidance values has been brought to my notice so far. Discussions might be underway at the departmental level. We will consider it when the file comes to me,” he said.
