The SVAMITVA Scheme is a ground-breaking initiative that the Indian government introduced on April 24, 2020. The purpose of this scheme is to reform rural land governance and bring about socio-economic development. It further aims to bring down property disputes in villages with the help of advanced technology like drones.
Over 6.62 lakh villages between 2021 and 2025, the SVAMITVA Scheme is to give the villagers the much-needed legal document of ownership for their property in the form of a property card, making them transparent, more financially included, and self-dependent in rural India.
Table of Contents
Aim of SVAMITVA Scheme
Under this scheme, SVAMITVA Scheme has set the following targets:
- Land Record: Eliminates confusion related to ownership in rural land
- Property Dispute: Uses drones to determine exact boundaries over lands.
- Financial Empowerment: Giving property owners access to finance by using property cards as collateral.
- Streamlined Planning: Supporting infrastructure development and efficient revenue collection.
- Empowered Governance: Strengthening the Gram Panchayat’s position in the land.
How the SVAMITVA Scheme Works
The SVAMITVA Scheme is implemented on the basis of several significant activities:
Preparatory Activities:
State-Level Agreements: State Revenue Department, in partnership with Survey of India (SoI), enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to execute drone-based surveys.
Legal Framework: States will possibly have to introduce new legislation with regard to drones and property card issuance.
Surveys and Data Collection:
Drones: They are high-tech, professional grade, which collects high-resolution pictures of the inhabited rural areas.
Ground Control Points (GCPs): The SoI is responsible for establishment of the GCPs in order to ensure the dependability of the data.
Data processing and map production:
Image Processing: The raw images collected would be processed and DEMs generated along with producing ortho-rectified images.
Land Parcel Mapping: Detailed maps defining individual properties are prepared at the scale of 1:500.
Validation and Verification:
Ground-Truthing: Field verification is done to ensure the correctness of the mapped data.
Public Consultation: The residents are consulted to ascertain the property boundaries and ownership details.
Dispute Resolution:
Inquiry Process: Using the Gram Sabha, landowners, and available documentation, survey authorities begin the inquiry process to confirm who owns each plot of property.
Resolution Mechanisms: Disputes are resolved through formal legal processes, and cases that are not resolved are forwarded to higher authorities as per the state revenue laws.
Issuance of Property Cards
- Finalization: After verification, property cards are issued with all the details of ownership.
- Distribution: Property cards are issued to the owners, and they receive legal documents of their property.
Key Features of the SVAMITVA Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Use of Drone Technology | High-precision drones for accurate mapping of rural areas. |
| Property Cards | Legal documents recognizing land ownership. |
| Reduction in Disputes | Transparent records eliminate ambiguities and conflicts. |
| Revenue Generation | Enables Gram Panchayats to collect property taxes efficiently. |
| GIS Integration | Geographic Information Systems ensure robust data management and updates. |
Benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The SVAMITVA Scheme has many benefits:
- Empowerment of Rural Property Owners: Official documentation provides security and recognition of ownership.
- Economic Development: Property cards enable owners to leverage their assets for financial services, stimulating economic growth.
- Reduction in Disputes: Accurate records decrease conflicts over land, fostering social harmony.
- Enhanced Governance: Precise land data aids in effective planning and resource management by local authorities.
- Improved Infrastructure Planning: Detailed maps assist in the development of rural infrastructure, ensuring optimal utilization of resources.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite the advantages, the SVAMITVA Scheme faces some challenges:
- Legal Validity: Ensuring the legal recognition of property cards across different states with varying land laws.
- Technological Barriers: Implementing advanced technology in remote areas with limited infrastructure.
- Community Participation: Engaging local communities and addressing concerns related to land ownership and boundaries.
- Dispute Resolution: Establishing efficient mechanisms to resolve disputes that arise during the surveying process.
- Capacity Building: Training local officials and stakeholders to effectively manage and utilize the new system.
Impact on Rural Development
The SVAMITVA Scheme has fundamentally changed rural development:
- Financial Inclusion: Property owners can access credit facilities, which means increased investment in agriculture and small enterprises.
- Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions: Accurate land records enhance the capacity of local governing bodies in decision-making and governance.
- Infrastructure Development: Detailed mapping facilitates better planning and execution of infrastructure projects.
- Social Empowerment: The clear ownership rights will empower the marginalized section and bring social equality.
Future Prospects of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The SVAMITVA Scheme also supports India’s vision for a New India, Aatma Nirbhar Bharat-2047, an India of self-reliant, empowered villages, by resolving property disputes and easy governance. And while allowing smoother governance, the scheme has installed a strong foundation for sustainable development in villages.
Recent Developments and Achievements
The SVAMITVA Scheme has accomplished the following milestones as of December 31, 2024
| Metric | As of December 2024 |
|---|---|
| Drone Surveyed Villages | 3,10,388 |
| Maps Completed | 2,65,893 |
| Property Cards Distributed | 1,12,409 |
| Parcels Digitized | 9,98,53,440 |
| Villages with Property Cards | 1,42,889 |
| Villages of Maps Provided For Enquiry | 1,77,364 |
| CORS Monumentation | 1,018 |
| CORS integrated with Control Center | 903 |
FAQ
Q1: What is the SVAMITVA Scheme?
A: Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas is the abbreviation SVAMITVA Scheme.
Q2: Who initiated the SVAMITVA Scheme?
A: On April 24, 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the program.
Q3: What does the main goal of the SVAMITVA plan look like?
A: The scheme intends to provide rural residents with a legal property ownership record and curb land disputes.
Q4: How does the scheme incorporate drones?
A: Drone photographs are taken to develop high-resolution land maps for rural regions.
Q5: Are property cards eligible for being used as collateral?
A: Yes, the property cards issued under the SVAMITVA Scheme can be used as a collateral to secure loan options.
Conclusion
The SVAMITVA Scheme is a transformative step toward resolving land disputes, fostering financial inclusion, and empowering rural India. By leveraging advanced technology, it not only provides legal property ownership but also strengthens local governance and paves the way for holistic rural development. This project is evidence of the government’s aim to create an India more self-reliant and strong.