The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India launched the Svamitva scheme, which aims to provide rural residents with ownership rights through drone surveys and physical verifications. The scheme enables villagers to obtain legal proof of their residential assets, granting them access to bank loans and government benefits. The process involves conducting surveys, verifying property details, and generating unique property IDs. The scheme has been implemented in several states, and millions of property cards have been prepared for unregistered dwellings in rural areas.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj initiated the Svamitva scheme, bringing about a significant shift in rural real estate strategies. It provides proof of ownership to long-term residents, granting access to bank loans and government benefits and instilling a sense of security. It also aids in maintaining accurate records of residential assets for the central and state governments. In Haryana, residential properties are traditionally passed down through generations, referred to as "Lal Dora" land.
The Survey of India initiates the process with a comprehensive drone survey. Panchayats receive draft village maps, which may contain occasional imperfections. Kumar highlights an instance where the drone captured three consecutively numbered dwellings, all belonging to the same owner. Refining the map is essential to prevent generating multiple identification numbers for a single owner. Conversely, the drone sometimes merges multiple individuals living in the same house into one unit.
Physical verification of property details through door-to-door surveys involves a team comprising the village secretary, sarpanch, panchayat members, district revenue officers, and respected local residents. After verification, the draft map is revised based on the owners' consent or suggestions. The final map includes precise property identification, dwelling numbers, and comprehensive owner details. The final list is displayed at the panchayat office for owners to review. If no objections arise, the details are processed for Svamitva card issuance. These cards contain unique nine-digit identifiers and property maps, empowering owners and initiating the registration of title deeds.
Ownership disputes are generally resolved at the block level through committees or Gram Sabhas. Unresolved disputes are marked as such in the system. Experts propose enhancements to the Svamitva scheme. They advocate for issuing property IDs exclusively in the names of female owners, promoting women's empowerment. They also stress the need for enabling legislation to establish the legal validity of these IDs, ensuring their recognition by financial institutions. Clearly defining the purpose and utility of these IDs is also crucial for maximizing their impact.
While the Svamitva scheme presents significant opportunities, successful implementation remains paramount. Establishing clear property ownership could enable the government to introduce property taxation and service charges. However, government officials emphasize that Svamitva property cards primarily aim to document previously unregistered rural dwellings rather than impose additional financial burdens.
So far, the Survey of India has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 31 states and union territories for the Svamitva scheme's implementation. Drone surveys have been conducted in 248,000 villages nationwide and around 12.9 million property cards have been prepared for 78,000 villages. The scheme has achieved saturation in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Goa, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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