
Why in News:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the transformative impact of the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme, emphasizing its potential to unlock economic activity worth over ₹100 lakh crore across the country. During an event, the PM distributed over 65 lakh property cards to property owners in more than 50,000 villages, bringing the total beneficiaries under the scheme to 2.25 crore rural residents.
Introduction:
The SVAMITVA scheme represents a landmark initiative by the Indian government to address rural property rights and unlock economic potential in villages. By providing rural property owners with legal ownership documents, the scheme empowers them to access financial credit, resolve disputes, and contribute to local governance through property taxation. Through advanced technology, such as drone-based surveys, the scheme is transforming land mapping in rural India, paving the way for better planning and infrastructure development.
Key Features of the SVAMITVA Scheme:
Full Form:
- SVAMITVA stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
Objective:
- To provide a ‘record of rights’ to property owners in rural areas.
- Issuing property cards as legal ownership documents for residential properties in villages.
Technology Integration:
- The scheme leverages drone technology to map land parcels, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
Nationwide Coverage:
- Targets all villages in India, aiming to distribute property cards to unlock economic activity worth ₹100 lakh crore.
Benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme:
Economic Empowerment:
- Property cards enable rural households to use their property as financial assets to access loans and other financial services.
- Promotes economic security, especially for small and medium farmer families, facilitating entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Improved Local Governance:
- Helps in determining property tax, benefiting Gram Panchayats where they are authorized to collect such taxes.
- Enhances revenue generation for local development projects.
Enhanced Land Liquidity:
- Increases the marketability of land parcels, enabling easier buying, selling, and leasing.
- Boosts financial credit availability for rural residents.
Accurate Land Records:
- Creates a centralized system for accurate land records, aiding rural planning and infrastructure development.
- Supports activities like construction permits, elimination of encroachments, and better land utilization.
Conflict Resolution:
- Reduces disputes over property ownership by providing clear and legal documentation.
Key Highlights from the Prime Minister’s Address:
- PM Modi emphasized that lakhs of rural residents have already availed loans against their property cards to start businesses, demonstrating the scheme’s economic impact.
- Over 65 lakh property cards have been distributed across 50,000 villages, with plans to expand coverage further.
- The initiative aligns with the government’s goal of enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting financial inclusion.
Implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme:
Role of Technology:
- Drone surveys are used to map residential properties, ensuring high precision.
- Modern mapping techniques enable the creation of digital property maps at the village level.
Property Card Issuance:
- After mapping, property cards are prepared and distributed to rightful owners.
- These cards serve as legal ownership proofs for rural properties.
Collaboration:
- The scheme is implemented in collaboration with state governments and Gram Panchayats.
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj oversees the initiative.
Key Terms to Understand:
SVAMITVA Scheme:
- An initiative aimed at providing property ownership rights in rural areas, facilitating financial empowerment and better governance.
Gram Panchayat:
- The local self-government body at the village level responsible for local administration and development.
Property Card:
- A legal document issued under the SVAMITVA scheme that records ownership of residential properties in villages.
Drone Technology in Land Mapping:
- Utilized for precise surveys of land parcels, reducing manual errors and increasing transparency.
Property Tax:
- A tax collected by local governing bodies like Gram Panchayats for developmental activities, based on the value of properties.
Conclusion:
The SVAMITVA scheme is a transformative step toward addressing rural property rights, unlocking economic potential, and improving governance. By providing legal ownership documents, the initiative empowers rural households, enhances access to financial credit, and reduces land disputes. It also strengthens local governance by generating revenue through property taxes. The scheme’s emphasis on technology-driven implementation underscores India’s commitment to modernization and inclusion, making it a key driver of rural development.