Context: The SVAMITVA scheme, which aims to issue legal property cards to rural families, finds hindrance in its implementation as ten states are yet to join the scheme, citing existing systems and other reasons.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: SVAMITVA scheme- Facts about the Scheme
Mains: SVAMITVA- Benefits, Concerns
About SVAMITVA Scheme
- SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
- It is a central sector scheme which was launched nationally on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2021.
- Initiative of: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- The scheme is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments.
- Survey of India is the Technology Implementation Agency.
- The scheme is a reformative step towards establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas.
- It provides the ‘record of rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas in villages. The legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) would be issued to the property owners by mapping land parcels using Drone survey and CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Stations) Networks which provides mapping accuracy of 5 cm.
- It will cover around 6.62 Lakh villages of the entire country during 2021-2025.
- Eligibility: The applicant should have a property in rural inhabited (Abadi) area.
- Exclusions: Agricultural Lands are not covered under this scheme.
Benefits of SVAMITVA Scheme
- Reduce property-related disputes and legal cases by creating accurate land records.
- Financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
- Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS (Geographic Information System) maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
- Preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan aided by proper land records and use of GIS maps enhances governance.
- Financial federalism: Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the Gram Panchayats directly in States where it is devolved or else, add to the State exchequer.
States’ Reservations in implementation of SVAMITVA Scheme
- Ten states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Bihar are yet to join the SVAMITVA scheme.
- Existing systems of similar measures:
- ‘Natham’ areas in Tamil Nadu, for instance, have legal validity for their land records and can be used to apply for bank loans.
- Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Act, 2011 has been carrying out the survey of the entire State with maps, records and rights.
- Prior Abaadi records exist in West Bengal.
- Limited coverage:
- Jharkhand has paused the implementation of SVAMITVA due to the perceived conflict in giving property rights under the Santhal Pargana and Chotanagpur Tenancy Acts.
- Odisha and Assam have allowed limited coverage of the scheme in their jurisdictions.
- Non-inclusion of certain areas:
- Many States, including Uttar Pradesh, have not extended the Abaadi area to include the agricultural land on which people have constructed houses and are staying in villages.