Why does digitization of land records matter?

Land is an expensive commodity. There was a time when land records were maintained manually. Due to this, one of the serious risks that landowners in India faced was land grabbing. Other problems included issues within the family due to improper records. Do you know that according to Land Conflict Watch, 9.4 Mn people in India are affected by land conflicts? Further, land related cases comprise a major share of overall court cases in India, and it will take them more than two decades to get resolved. A person owning a piece of land, paying stamp duty and registration charges for getting it into government records and pays tax, has all rights to demand for safe and secure ownership of land. 

A step in this direction was taken by the government through the launch of centrally sponsored scheme in 2008 known as National Land Records Modernization Programme (NILRMP). This was launched as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) on April 1, 2016. It is a transparent land records management system that aims to reduce land-related disputes. 

Budget 2024: Digitization of land

As part of Budget 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focused on land-related reforms in both rural and urban areas. These will focus on two key aspects: 

• Improving land administration, planning, and management
• Updating urban planning, land usage, and building bylaws.

Rural reforms include the introduction of Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar, digitization of cadastral maps, survey of map sub-divisions, establishment of a land registry, and linking to farmers’ registry.

Urban reforms include digitization of urban land records with GIS mapping, establishment of an IT-based system for property record administration, and enhancement of urban local bodies’ financial positions. 

How does Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme work?

Under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), each land parcel is allotted a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN). 

What are the advantages of the digital land records?

• Access to updated land ownership records anywhere anytime.
• Data on the portal is maintained securely. 
• Transparent access to one’s land records. This also reduces any layer of corruption that can crop up. 
• Tamper proof records.

What are the major components of DILRMP?

Source: dolr

What is the progress with respect to digitization of land records? 

• Computerization of RoRs: At least 99% and more in 15 states and Union Territories like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Tripura. The computerization of RoRs has been completed here. 

By December 31, 2024, the Record of Rights (RoRs) will be computerized in 6,25,137 villages out of 6,57,397 villages (95.09%). 

• Cadastral maps digitized: It is done in at least 68% in 28 states and Union Territories. Over 2,52,51,446 cadastral maps out of total 3,69,86,358 maps are digitized.

• Computerization of registration: Over 93% completed in 29 states/UTs (5,060 Sub-Registrar Offices of 5,329 SROs) and integration of SROs with land records completed more than 75% in 23 states/UTs (4,669 SROs out of 5,329 SROs).

Housing.com POV

Access to land records anytime, anywhere adds to convenience among other critical things like transparency. With the land records getting digitized, India is marching towards citizen first principle, where the landowner has the power to access his records anytime, anywhere. In fact, with the availability of digitally signed RORs, one need not physically visit the SRO, saving time and executing the task at a faster pace. 

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