The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the Karnataka Regulation of Use of Government Premises and Public Property Bill, 2026, proposing a legal framework to regulate the use of government premises and public assets. Home Minister Priyank Kharge announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting, saying the legislation is intended to safeguard public property and ensure that it is used responsibly. The Bill is expected to be tabled in the state legislature for discussion and passage.

Kharge said the proposed legislation would cover government lands, buildings, playgrounds, parks, roads and other public assets. It seeks to establish clear rules governing their use by private individuals, organisations, associations and societies. The government has maintained that the framework is aimed at preventing misuse and unauthorised occupation while ensuring that public property remains protected for the broader public interest.

According to officials, the Bill will establish procedures for granting permission to use government properties for events, meetings and other activities. It will also contain provisions for penalties in cases involving misuse or damage to public property. The proposed rules are intended to bring greater accountability to the use of government premises and create a defined legal mechanism for addressing violations.

Also Read: Delhi Plans Demolition Of 34 Government Schools Over Safety Concerns

The legislation has drawn attention amid an ongoing political dispute over the use of public property by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Kharge rejected speculation that the Bill was specifically intended to target the organisation, questioning why the legislation was being linked to any particular institution, association, organisation, society, club, union, syndicate or NGO. He maintained that the government had no specific organisation in mind while framing the proposed law.

Kharge has, however, previously raised concerns about the RSS using public property and government premises. Since 2025, he has opposed such use and has also demanded that the organisation formally register. In June 2026, he wrote an open letter to the RSS seeking clarity on its legal status, financial transparency and constitutional accountability as the organisation marked 100 years of its existence.

In his letter, Kharge argued that an organisation claiming more than 60,000 shakhas and a large number of members in India and abroad has a significant presence in public life and should therefore meet high standards of transparency and accountability. The proposed Public Property Bill will now face legislative scrutiny, where its provisions and their potential implications for organisations using government premises are expected to be debated before a decision on passage.

Also Read: An Inverse Impasse: Government Pushes for Talk, Opposition Walks, and Productivity Plummets