ECONOMICAL IMPACT OF DIGITIZATION OF LAND RECORDS

On 8th February, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, mentioned that the move to digitize land records and registrations by the government is projected to enhance India's GDP by around 1.5%.

Significant of Land

1. Livelihood Source:

   1. Land sustains diverse life forms, including humans, and is crucial for agriculture, supporting over half of India's workforce.
   2. It serves as a foundation for forestry, mining, and other income-generating activities, thereby creating employment opportunities.

2. Economic Value:

   1. As a significant asset, land attracts investments, facilitates industrial growth, and is key to initiatives like Special Economic Zones (SEZs) aimed at boosting export-oriented production.
   2. Land transactions can lead to capital gains, offering financial benefits under specific conditions.

3. Repository of Natural Resources:

   1. Land houses vital natural resources such as minerals, water, and forests, indispensable for industry and commerce.

Benefits of Digitization of Land Records

1. Litigation Reduction:

   1. Land disputes contribute significantly to India's court backlogs. Digitizing land records can clarify ownership rights with government backing, minimizing disputes.

2. Enhanced Transparency:

   1. Current land records are often outdated and inconsistent. Digitizing and integrating them with spatial and other databases like Aadhaar improves record accuracy and access.

3. Development Encouragement:

   1. As a key asset, land draws investment and fuels growth. A digital land record system lowers transaction costs and uncertainties, fostering a healthy land market and facilitating credit and insurance access through land as collateral.
   2. Accessible land information also accelerates infrastructure planning and development, aligning with initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

4. Equity Promotion:

   1. Digitized records can aid land reform efforts, ensure fair distribution to landless and marginalized communities, and support women and vulnerable groups by affirming their land rights.

5. Clear Ownership:

   1. Digital records provide definitive proof of ownership, lessening land-related legal conflicts.

6. Tax Revenue Increase:

   1. Accurate land documentation can enhance property tax collection, benefiting state finances.

Government Initiatives for Digitization of lands

1.  Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)

   1. Initially known as the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP), it was rebranded as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) to modernize land record management, reduce land/property disputes, increase transparency in maintaining land records, and progress towards providing guaranteed titles to immovable properties.
   2. Salient Features of DILRMP:
      1. Unique Identification for Land Parcels:
         1. The DILRMP introduces the Bhu-Aadhaar or ULPIN, a 14-digit alphanumeric ID unique to each land parcel, based on geographical coordinates, facilitating nationwide access to ownership details, dimensions, and locations of plots.
      2. Standardized Document Registration:
         1. The National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) has been established to create a consistent framework for deed/document registration across different Indian states, addressing regional discrepancies.
      3. Linguistic Accessibility:
         1. Records of Rights are now available in all 22 scheduled languages of the Constitution, eliminating language barriers in land governance throughout India.
      4. Integrated Services Provision:
         1. The DILRMP extends services including issuance of caste, income, and domicile certificates, along with information on crop profiles, insurance, and digital links to banking/credit facilities.
      5. Dispute Resolution and Judicial Relief:
         1. A robust land record management system under DILRMP aims to peacefully settle long-standing arbitration and boundary disputes, thereby alleviating the caseload on the judiciary and administrative bodies.

2. Transition to Digital Registration:

   1. Transitioned from manual to electronic registration (e-Registration) to streamline the process of documenting registrations.

3. SVAMITVA Scheme:

   1. Launched to grant a 'Record of Rights' to village household owners by providing legal ownership cards.

4. Integration with e-Courts and Banks:

   1. The Ministry of Rural Development is focusing on connecting digitized records with e-courts and banks to deter fraudulent land transactions and mitigate disputes.

Current Status of the Digital Land records in India

As on 11th August 2023, following is the status of the Digital land Records in India (Source : The Department of Land Resources )

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