Telangana Bhu Bharati Act and Land Rights Portal

The Telangana government enacted the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights) Act. This legislation aims to resolve land-related issues that arose following the introduction of the previous Dharani portal by the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government. The Dharani portal was initially promoted as a comprehensive solution for land transactions. However, it led to grievances among landowners due to various discrepancies during the digitisation of land records.

Background of Land Issues in Telangana

The introduction of the Dharani portal was meant to streamline land transactions. However, it resulted in numerous disputes. Many landowners faced issues such as incorrect categorisation of Patta lands and missing survey numbers. The removal of the current owner’s name from registration documents caused confusion and disputes over land ownership. The lack of an accessible redressal mechanism aggravated these problems.

Introduction of the Bhu Bharati Act

In response to the widespread grievances, the Congress government introduced the Telangana Bhu Bharati Act in 2025. This Act aims to rectify the problems caused by the 2020 Record of Rights Act and the Dharani portal. The government sought public input and consulted an expert committee to understand the root causes of the issues faced by landowners.

Key Features of the Bhu Bharati Act

The Bhu Bharati Act introduces several important provisions. It allows for the rectification of errors in land records since 2020. The Act mandates that lands be surveyed and maps prepared before any registrations. This approach aims to reduce litigation. Additionally, it includes provisions for the regularisation of sada bainamas based on factual ground-level evidence.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

A aspect of the Bhu Bharati Act is its grievance redressal system. It establishes a two-tier mechanism for landowners to register complaints. Grievances can be addressed by the revenue divisional officer (RDO) and escalated to the district collector if unresolved. This new system contrasts sharply with the previous requirement to approach civil courts, thus making the process more accessible and efficient.

Cost-Free Grievance Resolution

Under the new Act, farmers can have their grievances addressed free of charge. This is a notable change from the Dharani portal, where fees were required at multiple levels for grievance registration and escalation. This cost-free approach aims to encourage more landowners to seek resolution for their issues.

Testing the New Portal

The Bhu Bharati portal has been launched in select mandals to assess its effectiveness. This phased rollout allows for adjustments before a full implementation across the state. The government aims to ensure that land transactions are transparent and that complaints are minimised.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically examine the impact of digitisation on land records in India.
2. Discuss the significance of grievance redressal mechanisms in governance.
3. Explain the concept of sada bainamas and their implications for land ownership.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the role of technology in resolving administrative issues in rural governance.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically examine the impact of digitisation on land records in India.

1. Digitisation aims to improve accuracy and accessibility of land records.
2. However, it has led to discrepancies and disputes, as seen with the Dharani portal.
3. Issues like incorrect categorisation and missing data have emerged during the digitisation process.
4. Many landowners have faced legal challenges due to these discrepancies.
5. Effective digitisation requires robust systems for data verification and public feedback.

2. Discuss the significance of grievance redressal mechanisms in governance.

1. Grievance redressal mechanisms ensure accountability and transparency in governance.
2. They provide citizens with avenues to address issues and seek justice.
3. Accessible redressal systems can prevent legal disputes and reduce court congestion.
4. Effective mechanisms enhance public trust in government institutions.
5. Examples include the two-tier system established by the Bhu Bharati Act for land issues.

3. Explain the concept of sada bainamas and their implications for land ownership.

1. Sada bainamas refer to informal land transactions conducted on plain paper, without formal registration.
2. They often lack legal recognition, leading to disputes over ownership rights.
3. Regularisation of sada bainamas can provide legal clarity and security to landowners.
4. Many properties in Telangana were transferred via sada bainamas, complicating land records.
5. The Bhu Bharati Act aims to address these transactions based on ground-level facts.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the role of technology in resolving administrative issues in rural governance.

1. Technology can streamline processes, as seen with the introduction of the Bhu Bharati portal.
2. Digital platforms can facilitate quicker access to information and services for rural communities.
3. Examples include e-governance initiatives that improve transparency in land transactions.
4. Mobile applications can help farmers report grievances and access resources easily.
5. However, effective implementation requires training and infrastructure to support rural populations.