The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Rural Areas) initiative is transforming rural India. The government’s provision of accurate property ownership data and clear ownership records under this initiative is reducing land disputes. This program marks a turning point in India’s history of rural empowerment and governance. In addition, the program facilitates the sale of assets, makes institutional credit possible through bank loans, reduces property disputes, improves property taxation and property valuation in rural areas, and allows for complete village-level planning.
The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Rural Areas) initiative is transforming rural India. The government’s provision of accurate property ownership data and clear ownership records under this initiative is reducing land disputes. This program marks a turning point in India’s history of rural empowerment and governance. In addition, the program facilitates the sale of assets, makes institutional credit possible through bank loans, reduces property disputes, improves property taxation and property valuation in rural areas, and allows for complete village-level planning.
The need for ownership India has lacked rural land survey and settlement for decades. Many states lacked maps and documentation of village abadi areas. Due to the absence of official records, property owners in these areas were unable to upgrade their homes or use their property as a financial asset for loans and other financial assistance, making it difficult for them to access institutional credit. The lack of such documentation hindered the economic development of rural India for over 70 years. It became clear that a contemporary solution was needed in light of the importance of legally recognized property records for economic empowerment. The ownership scheme was developed to use state-of-the-art drone technology for surveying and mapping village abadi areas. PM ownership soon proved to be a turning point in this direction.
A central sector initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is called SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Rural Areas). It was introduced across the country on April 24, 2021, National Panchayati Raj Day, after the successful completion of the pilot phase (2020-2021) of the program in nine states. The program uses drone technology to map pieces of land and provide a “record of rights” to village household owners. Legal ownership cards, also known as property cards or title deeds, are then issued to property owners, a reformative step towards establishing clear ownership of property in rural abadi (abadi) areas.
A memorandum of understanding between the Survey of India and the respective state governments is the first step in the multi-step property card creation process provided by the framework for implementing the Swamitva Yojana. The scheme uses technology for topographic mapping at various scales, such as satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles or drone platforms, and aerial photography drones, to prepare a national topographic database at all scales. After the completion of the MoU, a continuously operating reference system is established. A virtual base station that provides long-range, highly accurate network RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) corrections is provided by this network of reference stations. The next step is to determine which villages will be surveyed and to inform the public about the property mapping process. Each rural property is marked with limestone (chunna), which delineates the abadi kshetra (inhabited area) of the village. This is the conclusion of the investigation/objection process, also known as conflict/dispute resolution. Then the Sampatti Patra, or final property cards/title deeds, are prepared. You can buy these cards.
The benefits of this program include an inclusive society. The socio-economic status of vulnerable populations in villages is positively correlated with their access to property rights. The Swamitva scheme attempts to make this possible. The number of land-conflict cases is very high due to the lack of a clearly defined boundary of the population. The Swamitva scheme aims to address the underlying causes of conflicts at the local level. Better gram panchayat development plans that use high-resolution digital maps lead to improvements in roads, schools, community health facilities, rivers, streetlights, and other infrastructure. Through more accessible resources and effective financial management. The main goal is to help people monetize their assets as collateral. Additionally, simplifying property tax in states where it is imposed encourages investment and makes it easier to do business, thereby boosting India's economic growth.
By transforming long-standing issues related to land ownership into opportunities for growth and empowerment, the SVAMITVA scheme is changing the story of rural India. The scheme, which includes digital property cards and sophisticated drone surveys, is about possibilities and dreams rather than just boundaries and maps. SVAMITVA has become more than just a government program as villages embrace this change; it is a driving force behind increased freedom, smarter planning, and a more united, powerful rural India. Rural India is changing as a result of the SVAMITVA scheme. Long-standing difficulties related to land ownership are turning into opportunities for growth and self-determination. Innovation and inclusiveness are being added to remove barriers, resolve disputes, and turn property into a powerful tool for economic advancement. Digital property cards and sophisticated drone surveys are two examples of how the scheme goes beyond simple boundaries and maps. It is full of opportunities and aspirations. Villages are embracing this change, and SVAMITVA is moving beyond just a government program. Self-reliance, better planning, and a more cohesive rural India are all gaining momentum through this.
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