Digitization of land Records

Source: The post digitization of land records has been created on the article “Record digitization will spell landmark progress” published in “Live mints” on 15th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper3- Indian economy- Land reform & GS paper2- governance – e-governance

News: The article discusses India’s project to digitize land records for better infrastructure planning and reduced corruption. It highlights the importance of clear land ownership, the impact on real estate, and the need to modernize land registration from physical to digital formats.

What are the benefits of digital land records?

Ownership and Fewer Disputes: Digital records establish clear land ownership, reducing legal issues and disputes over land.

Efficient Real Estate Market: With clear records, property deals become more transparent, reducing corruption and improving efficiency.

Increased Tax Revenue: Proper land records could lead to higher property tax collections for state governments.

Facilitates Infrastructure Development: Easy access to land data aids in faster planning and execution of infrastructure projects under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

Support for the Poor: Digital records enable the poor to prove land ownership, safeguarding them against exploitation.

What are the challenges related to digital land records?

Partial Success and Ongoing Effort: While land records from 13 major states and four Union territories have been digitized, integration is still pending for states like Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and the UT of Lakshadweep.

Outdated Registration Laws: The process is still bound by the 1908 Registration Act, which depends on physical documents, making modernization challenging.

Transition and Technology Challenges: Moving to a digital system involves overcoming both bureaucratic and technological hurdles, such as implementing unique land parcel ID numbers and adapting to new digital processes.

What government initiatives are in place for the improvement of digital land records?

PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: This initiative aims to coordinate infrastructure development using digital land records from states and Union territories.

For more information read here

Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme: A government project focusing on updating and digitizing land records across the country. Once this has been done, every plot/parcel of land can get the 14-digit alpha-numeric ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number) or Bhu-Aadhaar.

For more information read here

What should be done?

Implement Unique IDs: Assign a 14-digit unique land parcel ID to every land parcel for better tracking and transparency.

Adopt Efficient Digital Systems: Shift from physical to digital registration, leveraging technologies like Aadhaar for improved efficiency.

Question for practice:

Examine the benefits and challenges of India’s digital land records and discuss the government initiatives aimed at improving this system.