Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the transformative potential of the SVAMITVA scheme, stating that it could unlock economic activity worth over ₹100 lakh crore once property cards are distributed across all Indian villages. This assertion was made during a virtual event where more than 65 lakh property cards were handed over to property owners in over 50,000 villages, marking a significant milestone in the scheme’s implementation.
What Is the SVAMITVA Scheme?
Launched on April 24, 2020, during the National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations, the SVAMITVA scheme stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. Its primary objective is to create a ‘record of rights’ for rural homeowners, issuing property cards as legal proof of ownership. These records are prepared by surveying rural properties using advanced technologies such as drone mapping and geographic information system (GIS)-based data collection.
By October 11, 2020, the distribution of these property cards began, turning an ambitious vision into a tangible outcome. The scheme targets the completion of property surveys and the issuance of cards for all 6.62 lakh villages in the country by the financial year 2023-24.
What Are the Key Benefits of the Property Cards?
The SVAMITVA scheme provides numerous tangible and intangible benefits, primarily to rural residents.
- Unlocking Economic Opportunities: The scheme enables rural households to use their properties as financial assets for securing loans or availing other financial services. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that many individuals, particularly small and medium farmers, have utilized these legal documents to secure loans, using the capital to establish small businesses or support their agricultural activities.
- Enhanced Property Value and Liquidity: The property cards enhance the liquidity of land parcels, increasing their marketability and unlocking financial credit opportunities for rural areas.
- Boosting Revenue through Property Tax: In states where local Gram Panchayats are authorized to collect property tax, these cards contribute directly to the Panchayat’s revenue stream, thereby strengthening the financial autonomy of village administrations.
- Streamlining Rural Planning: By ensuring the creation of accurate land records, the scheme paves the way for efficient rural planning and development. From eliminating encroachments to facilitating construction permits and fair taxation, the records are a pivotal tool for Gram Panchayats to function effectively.
- Reducing Land Disputes: Clear demarcation and official recognition of property boundaries significantly reduce disputes over land ownership, fostering a more harmonious rural society.
How Has the SVAMITVA Scheme Progressed?
Since its inception, the scheme has made commendable progress. Initially launched as a pilot project in 1 lakh villages across nine states, it aimed to test the practicality and efficiency of implementing such an ambitious plan. These states included Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
Recent updates indicate remarkable advancements:
- A drone survey has been completed in over 3.17 lakh villages, covering 92% of the targeted villages, signaling a near-universal rollout across large parts of India. The program has achieved complete saturation in union territories and states such as Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.
- Several major regions, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and other Union Territories, have seen extensive progress, with thousands of square kilometers of rural residential land surveyed. In total, the project has surveyed 67,000 square kilometers of land, valued at ₹132 lakh crore.
This monumental achievement underscores the robust implementation mechanisms and cooperation between central and state governments, ensuring timely execution of the scheme.
What Challenges Has the SVAMITVA Scheme Addressed?
Before the launch of this scheme, rural areas faced critical challenges due to the absence of formal property documentation. These included:
- Ambiguity in Ownership: Many rural residents did not have legally recognized ownership documents, leading to disputes and limiting their ability to access financial resources.
- Restricted Credit Availability: Without legal proof of ownership, rural properties often remained underutilized as a financial asset, cutting off credit opportunities from banks and financial institutions.
- Administrative Inefficiencies: Inconsistent records and unscientific methods of land demarcation hampered rural taxation, planning, and development processes.
The SVAMITVA scheme has effectively addressed these gaps by combining technology with policy innovation.
How Does Technology Enable the Success of the SVAMITVA Scheme?
The scheme’s reliance on advanced technology sets it apart from previous initiatives. The use of drones for surveying rural properties ensures accurate mapping and reduces human error. Drone technology creates detailed GIS-based maps, which allow for precise identification of property boundaries and seamless integration with digital land record systems.
This method is not only faster but also significantly reduces the cost associated with manual surveys. The GIS maps enhance data accessibility at the Gram Panchayat level, where they serve multiple purposes, including aiding taxation, village planning, and dispute resolution.
What Lies Ahead for the SVAMITVA Scheme?
While substantial progress has been made, achieving full coverage by 2023-24 will require sustained efforts and targeted interventions. Challenges such as land disputes, administrative hurdles, and technological limitations in remote areas may impede progress. However, the scheme’s proven track record and government commitment instill confidence in its eventual success.
By distributing over 65 lakh property cards and generating potential economic activity worth ₹100 lakh crore, the SVAMITVA scheme demonstrates its ability to revolutionize rural India. By bridging gaps in property ownership, enabling financial inclusion, and boosting local governance, it lays the foundation for a self-reliant and progressive rural economy.