Srinagar-first district in country to achieve 100 pc saturation
The issuance of property cards under SVAMITVA Scheme is going on in full swing across all districts of J&K with an objective of empowering villagers and land owners. The SVAMITVA is giving seamless access to landowners regarding their revenue records of properties, obviating the dependence on human interface. SVAMITVA is like a property card with legal sanctity, an authoritative source reflective of record of ownership/possession. The scheme encompassing the length and breadth of the Union Territory involves the use of the most modern technology for surveys, extraction of data and final compilation of the records for public use. These are latest initiatives in the government of India’s reforms in Land Records. The technology based scheme is changing rural landscape in terms of quick and convenient access to the land owners, especially those living in Abadi-Deh. The initiative also helps in eliminating corruption and hence, it is another step towards people-friendly, transparent, corruption-free governance as promised to people of J&K. Notably, Srinagar district has become the first district in the country to achieve 100 percent saturation under the Survey of Villages Abadi & Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) Yojna. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha while tweeting on the development said that the Srinagar district has become the first district in the country to achieve 100 percent property cards generation/distribution to the landowners. SVAMITVA is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj, launched nation-wide by the Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, April 2021 after successful completion of pilot phase of scheme (2020-2021) in 9 states. The Scheme helps in establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas, by mapping of land parcels using drone technology and providing ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners with issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to the property owners. The scheme covers multifarious aspects viz facilitating monetisation of properties and enabling bank loan; reducing property related disputes; comprehensive village level planning, would be the stepping-stone towards achieving Gram Swaraj in true sense and making rural India Atmanirbhar. The scheme also helps in preparation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps besides creation of accurate land records for rural planning and reduce property-related disputes. It also brings 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. It also helps in creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use. Land is an essential resource for any economic activity aimed at creation of material wealth in the world. Lack of clearly demarcated Abadi area has led to high number of land-conflict cases everywhere. As per reports, millions of people suffer the impact of land conflicts across India and the World. The SVAMITVA Scheme aims to address the root cause of these disputes at local level. High-resolution digital maps for better Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) leading to improvement in infrastructure of schools, community health centres, rivers, street light, roads etc by efficient allocation of funds and increased accessibility, is also part of the scheme.