Latest news with #SVAMITVA
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Parliamentary panel flags SVAMITVA scheme's slow progress
The Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has flagged the slow progress of the SVAMITVA scheme, which verifies legal ownership of rural residential land through precise mapping and issues property cards to owners. The panel, which has submitted its report to Parliament, noted that achieving full coverage by 2025 may face delays, as 30,000 villages across Indian states and Union territories have yet to be surveyed. The committee, headed by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Lok Sabha member from Odisha's Koraput, urged the government to accelerate drone surveys and issue property cards by providing targeted technical and logistical support to states. Drone surveys have been completed in nearly 318,000 villages, compared to a target of 346,000 villages. The central government launched the scheme in April 2020 with the primary objective of providing property ownership records to rural households. The scheme's core focus is on surveying rural inhabited lands using drones to prepare detailed maps with ownership details, which will then be digitized and integrated into official land records. The move is expected to help villagers access credit and reduce land-related disputes. According to the initial timeline set up by the ministry of panchayati raj, states and Union territories were expected to complete drone surveys by March 2025 and the preparation of property cards by March 2026. However, the government informed the panel that despite the delay, the work in the remaining villages is likely to be completed by the end of 2025-26. The panel also pointed out that, besides slow implementation, the funds provided by the government are not sufficient. 'The committee also observed that in rural areas, there are so many complications on the title of the property due to joint or undivided families and common and community land ownership by the tribal society,' it said in the report. 'As the legal action is a state subject. These issues need due thought by the government to resolve them in a systematic and within the legal framework. For the purpose, they need to deploy adequately trained, technically and legally qualified persons, adequate funds for implementation of the same,' it added. The committee recommended that a comprehensive timeline be fixed and published state-wise, with the respective state government consulted, and its progress monitored regularly to ensure timely completion.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Maha to measure and map subdivided land plots; 18 talukas selected for pilot
PUNE: In a bid to streamline land ownership records, the Maharashtra land records department has launched a project to measure and map subdivided land plots (sub-holdings) across the state. As part of the pilot, 18 talukas have been selected where the measurement and mapping work will be carried out with the help of private agencies. The tendering process to appoint these agencies is currently underway. Pune, India - Aug. 6, 2018: Land of Purandar Airport in Pune, India, on Monday, August 6, 2018. (Photo by Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO)(Purandar Airport Story) The initiative comes in response to long-standing discrepancies between the 7/12 land extract (a crucial land ownership document in Maharashtra) and official land maps. Over the years, as families expanded and inherited land was divided among heirs, a large number of informal subdivisions took place without corresponding updates in government records. Often, these sub-plots exist in practice but are neither reflected in the official maps nor in the 7/12 extract, causing serious challenges in legal ownership, construction, and transactions involving land. Suhas Diwase, state commissioner of land records and settlement commissioner, said, 'In the first phase, around 4.77 lakh land survey numbers across the selected talukas will be physically measured and their records updated. A draft set of operational guidelines has already been developed on how the measurement will be carried out, how technical challenges will be addressed, and how many surveyors and how much manpower will be required for the task. The final guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be framed after analysing the practical implementation and resolving any technical hurdles that arise during the pilot.' 'We have undertaken this initiative to measure and map individual sub-plots under each survey number, based on actual ownership as seen on the ground similar to what was done under the SVAMITVA scheme. This will significantly help in updating the land records,' Diwase said. 'The department has divided the pilot into six administrative regions, and private agencies will be appointed separately for each region. These agencies will operate under the supervision of government officials to ensure accuracy and transparency,' Diwase informed. The 18 talukas featured in the pilot have been selected from the six divisions in the state from 18 different districts such as Pune, Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Solapur, Sangli, Dhule, Jalgaon, Chandrapur and Kolhapur among others. With families having expanded over time, resulting in extensive subdivision of land holdings, the new owners' names may appear in the 7/12 extract but the corresponding maps are either outdated or missing. In many cases, land is being used and shared based on informal subdivisions without official recognition, making it difficult to undertake construction or apply for loans. Even when partition of land has taken place among family members, physical boundaries on the ground have not been surveyed and marked officially. This disconnect has left landowners without proper documentation or legal clarity, leading to disputes and developmental delays. 'To resolve this, the department aims to bring parity between the textual records (7/12 extract) and spatial records (cadastral maps), making them legally and practically reliable. The measurement work is expected to begin in the next month after the appointment of the private agencies. The exercise is expected to streamline land administration, reduce disputes, and boost rural development and real estate activity in the long term,' Diwase said. Currently, land records include maps and dimensions of original land parcels listed under the owners' names. However, over time, these parcels have often been divided among family members, with each wanting a separate registration in their name. This process is called the subdivision of land parcels. It may be noted that the names of the beneficiaries along with the areas are noted in the 'rights' section of the 7/12 record of rights but there is no separate map or dimensions noted or shared. This lack of precise mapping often leads to disputes among family members, especially when one of them attempts to sell his/her share of the land to a third party. Confusion over boundaries frequently results in conflicts, legal cases, and even criminal complaints. Farmers cannot avail government schemes and loans based on the current situation without mutual consent which also acts as a tool for harassment. The department has therefore decided to ensure that the dimensions of such subdivisions are in place and a map is also given to the members. 'With proper maps and individual records in place, landowners will have exclusive rights to develop, trade, and access government schemes independently for their land parcel/s. The process involves community engagement, verification of land records, and the use of drones to survey and map the land. The maps will be finalised in consultation with the stakeholders before being officially issued,' concluded Diwase.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat government waives ₹200 ownership certificate fee under SVAMITVA scheme
AHMEDABAD : The Gujarat government has decided to waive the Rs 200 fee for ownership certificates under the SVAMITVA scheme , easing the financial burden on rural property owners, an official said on Monday. Property holders in rural areas of Gujarat can now get the "sanad" or ownership certificate under the SVAMITVA scheme free of cost, he said. SVAMITVA Yojana is a central scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 for issuing property cards to rural landholders across the country. Under the 'Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) Scheme, drone technology is being used to survey properties in inhabited rural areas, and property cards are issued to the residents. The first copy of the property card is provided to owners free of cost under the scheme, an official release said. With Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel 's decision to waive the Rs 200 survey fee under the Land Revenue Act, 1879, rural residents will now receive both the property card and "sanad" (ownership certificate) for free, it stated. The state government will bear an estimated Rs 50 crore to distribute around 25 lakh such certificates across Gujarat, the release said.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Gujarat waives ₹200 fee for rural property certificates under SVAMITVA Yojana
The Gujarat government on Monday (July 21, 2025) announced that Sanad (ownership certificates) for residential properties under the SVAMITVA Yojana will now be issued free of cost. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has waived the ₹200 fee previously charged under the Land Revenue Act, 1879, making the process more accessible to small, poor, and middle-income landholders in villages. The state government estimates that around 25 lakh rural residents will benefit from the decision, with an expenditure of approximately ₹50 crore being borne by the state to distribute the certificates. SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) is a Central government initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and implemented through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It uses drone technology to map residential land in rural areas and issue official property cards to landholders. Under the scheme, the first copy of the property card is already provided free of cost. With Gujarat's latest decision, rural residents will now receive both the property card and Sanad without incurring any expense. Officials stated that the move is aimed at strengthening legal ownership rights, reducing property disputes, and promoting accurate land records for improved rural planning and governance. The decision is also viewed as a step toward the broader goal of improving the quality of life for rural communities.
News18
17-07-2025
- Business
- News18
'When Intent Is Right, Innovation Empowers': PM Modi's Blog On A Decade Of Digital India
Last Updated: In 2014, India had around 25 crore internet connections. Today, that number has grown to over 97 crores. Ten years ago, we embarked on a bold journey into uncharted territory with great conviction. While decades were spent doubting the ability of Indians to use technology, we changed this approach and trusted the ability of Indians to use technology. While decades were spent thinking that use of technology will deepen the gap between the haves and the have-nots, we changed this mindset and used technology to eliminate the gap between the haves and the have-nots. When the intent is right, innovation empowers the less empowered. When the approach is inclusive, technology brings change in the lives of those on the margins. This belief laid the foundation for Digital India: a mission to democratise access, build inclusive digital infrastructure, and opportunities for all. In 2014, internet penetration was limited, digital literacy was low, and online access to government services was scarce. Many doubted whether a country as vast and diverse as India could truly go digital. Today, that question has been answered not just in data and dashboards, but in the lives of 140 crore Indians. From how we govern, to how we learn, transact, and build, Digital India is everywhere. Bridging the Digital Divide In 2014, India had around 25 crore internet connections. Today, that number has grown to over 97 crores. Over 42 lakh kilometres of Optical Fibre Cable equivalent to 11 times the distance between Earth and the Moon now connects even the most remote villages. India's 5G rollout is among the fastest in the world, with 4.81 lakh base stations installed in just two years. High-speed internet now reaches urban hubs and forward military posts alike including Galwan, Siachen, and Ladakh. India Stack, which is our digital backbone, has enabled platforms like UPI, which now handles 100+ billion transactions a year. Around half of all real time digital transactions happen in India. Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), over Rs 44 lakh crore has been transferred directly to citizens, cutting out middlemen and saving Rs 3.48 lakh crore in leakages. Schemes like SVAMITVA have issued 2.4 crore+ property cards and mapped 6.47 lakh villages, ending years of land-related uncertainty. Democratising Opportunity for All India's digital economy is empowering MSMEs and small entrepreneurs like never before. ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) is a revolutionary platform which opens a new window of opportunities by providing a seamless connection with huge market of buyers and sellers. GeM (Government E-Marketplace) enables the common man to sell goods and services to all arms of the government. This not only empowers the common man with a huge market but also saves money for the Government. Imagine this: You apply for a Mudra loan online. Your creditworthiness is assessed through an account aggregator framework. You get your loan and start your venture. You register on GeM, supply to schools and hospitals, and then scale up via ONDC. ONDC recently crossed 200 million transactions, with the last 100 million in just six months. From Banarasi weavers to bamboo artisans in Nagaland, sellers are now reaching customers nationwide, without middlemen or digital monopolies. GeM has also crossed Rs 1 lakh crore GMV in 50 days, with 22 lakh sellers including 1.8 lakh+ women-led MSMEs, who have fulfilled orders worth Rs 46,000 crore. Digital Public Infrastructure: India's Global Offering India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) from Aadhaar, CoWIN, DigiLocker, and FASTag to PM-WANI and One Nation One Subscription is now studied and adopted globally. CoWIN enabled the world's largest vaccination drive, issuing 220 crore QR-verifiable certificates. DigiLocker, with 54 crore users, hosts 775 crore+ documents, securely and seamlessly. Through our G20 Presidency, India launched the Global DPI Repository and a $25 million Social Impact Fund, helping nations across Africa and South Asia adopt inclusive digital ecosystems. Startup Power Meets AatmaNirbhar Bharat India now ranks among the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world, with over 1.8 lakh startups. But this is more than a startup movement, it is a tech renaissance. India is doing extremely well when it comes to AI skill penetration and AI talent concentration among our youth. Through the $1.2 billion India AI Mission, India has enabled access to 34,000 GPUs at globally unmatched prices at less than $1/GPU hour making India not just the most affordable internet economy, but also the most affordable compute destination. India has championed humanity-first AI. The New Delhi Declaration on AI promotes innovation with responsibility. We are establishing AI Centres of Excellence across the country. The Road Ahead The next decade will be even more transformative. We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership, from India-first to India-for-the-world. Digital India has not remained a mere government program, it has become a people's movement. It is central to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and to making India a trusted innovation partner to the world. To all innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers: the world is looking at India for the next digital breakthrough. Let us build what empowers. top videos View all Let us solve what truly matters. Let us lead with technology that unites, includes, and uplifts. About the Author Narendra Modi Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Damodardas Modi is India's 14th and current Prime Minister. He is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. Modi is a member of the Bharatiya More tags : digital india pm narendra modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 01, 2025, 10:04 IST News opinion 'When Intent Is Right, Innovation Empowers': PM Modi's Blog On A Decade Of Digital India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
