Progressing J&K: ‘Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani’ a flagship initiative for bringing transparency, ease in obtaining land records

Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani initiative is one of the flagship programmes launched by the government of J&K to bring ease, transparency and convenience for citizens about land records. Under this initiative, public users can search and view copies of scanned data online on CIS Portal- http://landrecords.jk.gov.in/. The initiative facilitates easy online access to the Land Records System, thereby reducing manipulation of the Land Records and improving the efficiency of Revenue offices substantially. This initiative is part of Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), and the Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir has achieved an important milestone to provide the most transparent and accountable services to the common people under this initiative.
As per official records, 7.70 cr pages of revenue records and 55216 Musavis (maps) were scanned till date. 6.5 lakh citizens have viewed their land records till date and the feedback of citizens has resulted in purification, updation of land records on constant basis. Earlier, there was no mechanism to view or monitor the status of the land records by the citizens who were dependent on the officials to check their land records. Ali Asghar Raza of Thannmandi calls ‘Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani’ a landmark initiative which saved common people from burden of visiting tehsil offices and Patwari offices for their own land records. “We can check our land documents anytime at our own will. We can also apply for loan easily for starting our business without visiting the Patwari office”, he said.
Echoing his views, Ghulam Muhammad Dar of Thannmandi said that we are grateful of Government for providing land records to people at the comfort of their homes. Similarly, Jehangir Ahmed of Qamarwari says that this initiative relieved them of visiting Patwar offices where there was always delay in issuance of land records. Khurshid Ahmed Reshi of HMT area of Srinagar says that Government has done great job by removing illegal encroachments from public land and utilising freed land for public welfare and institutions.
Pertinently, the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) was formally launched in UT in April-2016 for improving online accessibility to the Land Records System and stopping manipulation of the Land Records thereby making quality of services in Sub Registrar offices/ Tehsils more efficient and transparent. The programme aims to modernize management of land records, enhance transparency in the land records maintenance system, thus reducing scope of land/property disputes, and facilitate conclusive titles to immovable properties in the country. The major components of the programme include computerization and digitization of land records, Survey/resurvey and updation of all survey and settlement records, integration of property registration with land records and cadastral maps for enhancing authenticity and security of data, bringing utmost transparency in the system, Capacity building, and development of Land Records Information System. After August 5, 2019, Jammu & Kashmir has embarked on an unprecedented developmental trajectory wherein transformational initiatives in all sectors have been launched. Transparency in maintenance and upkeep of Land records was an area which required an urgent intervention and ‘Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani’ (AZAN) is a landmark intervention in that direction.