The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme aims to modernise land records in rural India. Launched on April 24, 2020, it focuses on mapping inhabited areas in villages using drone technology. The initiative seeks to provide property cards to legal owners, thereby resolving land disputes and enabling economic growth. As of now, progress has been made, but several states have not adopted the scheme.
Current Status of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The scheme has surveyed approximately 67,000 square kilometres across 3.17 lakh villages. It has an estimated economic value of ₹132 lakh crore. Over 3,17,460 villages have undergone drone surveys, resulting in the preparation of around 21.98 million property cards. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj aims to complete the initiative by March 2026.
States Not Participating
Several states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Bihar, have refrained from implementing the SVAMITVA scheme. Tamil Nadu cites existing records of ‘Natham’ areas as a barrier. Bihar has a similar state programme under the Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Act, 2011. West Bengal has yet to communicate its decision to the Centre.
Challenges Faced by the Scheme
States like Jharkhand have paused the initiative due to conflicts with local tenancy laws. Odisha and Assam have implemented limited coverage, citing existing records for other regions. The scheme aims to provide a comprehensive record of rights for property owners, which has not been achieved in many areas for decades.
Benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The SVAMITVA scheme has multiple advantages. It facilitates property monetisation, enables access to bank loans, and aims to reduce property disputes. The initiative also supports comprehensive village-level planning, contributing to the goal of Gram Swaraj and promoting self-reliance in rural India.
Future Prospects
The Ministry intends to address the concerns of states that have not yet adopted the scheme. This includes amending state laws to extend property rights to agricultural land where houses are constructed. The successful implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme could enhance rural economic development and land governance.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the role of technology in modernising land records in India.
- Discuss the implications of property rights on rural economic development in India.
- Critically discuss the challenges faced by the SVAMITVA scheme in its implementation.
- Taking the example of Bihar, analyse the impact of state-specific land policies on national schemes.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the role of technology in modernising land records in India.
- Drone technology is employed for accurate mapping of inhabited areas, enhancing data collection efficiency.
- Digital platforms facilitate the storage and retrieval of land records, improving transparency and accessibility.
- Technological integration allows for real-time updates to land records, reducing discrepancies and disputes.
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS) support comprehensive spatial analysis for better land management.
- Automation in record-keeping streamlines processes, reducing bureaucratic delays and enhancing service delivery.
2. Discuss the implications of property rights on rural economic development in India.
- Property rights empower landowners to access credit and bank loans, boosting investment in agriculture and infrastructure.
- Clear property titles reduce land disputes, encouraging a stable environment for economic activities.
- Legal recognition of property enhances the ability to monetize assets, contributing to local economic growth.
- Property rights facilitate better planning and resource allocation at the village level, promoting sustainable development.
- Strengthening property rights supports rural self-governance and encourages a sense of ownership among residents.
3. Critically discuss the challenges faced by the SVAMITVA scheme in its implementation.
- Resistance from states with existing land records creates barriers to uniform adoption of the scheme.
- Conflicts with local tenancy laws, as seen in Jharkhand, hinder the implementation process.
- Limited coverage in states like Odisha and Assam restricts the scheme’s overall effectiveness.
- Technical challenges in drone operations and data management may affect the accuracy and reliability of surveys.
- Lack of awareness and engagement among rural populations can impede the acceptance of property cards.
4. Taking the example of Bihar, analyse the impact of state-specific land policies on national schemes.
- Bihar’s existing land policy under the Special Survey and Settlement Act limits the need for the SVAMITVA scheme.
- The state’s comprehensive survey efforts since 2013 demonstrate a commitment to local solutions over national mandates.
- State-specific policies can lead to discrepancies in the implementation of national schemes, affecting uniformity.
- Such policies highlight the importance of local context in the success of national initiatives.
- Collaboration between state and national frameworks is essential for harmonizing land governance across India.
