The Indian Government has initiated a huge drive to modernize and digitize land records under a national resurvey program. The ambitious endeavor, important for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047, will help settle age-old land disputes, accelerate economic growth, and promote transparent land administration. The program makes use of advanced technology and extensive Centre-State coordination, for the first time in more than a century, for a comprehensive resurvey.
Significance of the Resurvey Initiative
The resurvey of land records is regarded as crucial for making India a developed country by 2047 in accordance with the Viksit Bharat vision.
Updated, correct land records are crucial to economic development, efficient administration, and social justice, especially for the benefit of rural people, women, and disadvantaged communities.
Scope and Technology
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The work will start with geospatial mapping of 3 lakh sq. km. of rural farm lands in the first phase at a cost of ₹3,000 crore.
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High technology like drones, aerial surveying, AI, GIS, and high-precision equipment will be employed, keeping costs only 10% of what is being spent on conventional methods.
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The programme will be rolled out in five phases spanning two years, and the Centre will provide policy, funding, and technological inputs, while States manage ground validation.
Urban and Rural Emphasis
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The NAKSHA programme takes the resurvey to urban and peri-urban spaces, managing issues such as high frequency of transactions, high value of property, and unauthorized settlements.
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In Andhra Pradesh, pilot projects have run in 10 municipalities and more than 9.5 lakh properties, with aerial surveys done for the most part.
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More than 6,000 government land holdings have been mapped in strategic blocks and large teams and machinery employed for ground survey.
Integration and Advantages
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Aadhaar numbers are encouraged to be integrated with land Records of Rights (RoRs), conecting ownership of land with electronic identification to avoid forgery and authorize targeted distribution of benefits like PM-KISAN and crop insurance.
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The digital resurvey is likely to solve pending land disputes, improve confidence in ownership of land, and enable quick registration of property, with the aim of achieving efficiency at par with developed nations.
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The project will open up economic opportunities by allowing banks to give credit with confidence, drawing business investment, and giving farmers improved access to support schemes.
Progress and Co-operation
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A lot of progress has been achieved in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Assam, with Andhra Pradesh being identified as a model of cooperative federalism and fast-paced implementation.
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The Centre continues to stay committed to aiding states through funds and technology to achieve timely completion by 2027.
Social and Economic Impact
The project will benefit small and marginal farmers, women, and SC/ST groups specifically by ensuring secure tenure of land and alleviating litigation.
Better land records will improve town planning, increase municipal revenues, and reduce conflicts over property.
Relevant Sources: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Swarajya Magazine, The New Indian Express
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