The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme has recently been highlighted in the news following the release of new guidelines by the Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj. Launched on National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24), the scheme is a significant initiative aimed at improving property rights and revenue systems in rural India through the use of drone technology and geospatial tools.
Key Points of the SVAMITVA Scheme
Objective: The primary goal of the SVAMITVA scheme is to provide an
integrated property validation solution for rural India. This will help in streamlining the
planning process and enhancing
revenue collection in rural areas while ensuring clarity on
property rights. The initiative aims to improve governance and infrastructure planning at the grassroots level.
Key Features:- Technology: The scheme uses advanced technologies such as drone technology and Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) for accurate land mapping in rural inhabited areas.
- Phase-wise Implementation: The mapping of land parcels is being carried out across the country in a phased manner over four years (2020 to 2024).
- Collaborative Effort: The implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme involves collaboration among multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments, and the Survey of India.
Benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme- Streamlined Planning and Revenue Collection:
- The scheme will help in clarifying property ownership and land boundaries, which will aid in better planning and management of rural areas. This clarity will also support efficient revenue collection by local authorities.
- Improved Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP):
- The high-quality maps created under the scheme will assist in the preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). GPDPs are crucial for the economic development and social justice of villages.
- GPDPs are developed through a participatory process and are aligned with the schemes of various Central Ministries and Line Departments that cover 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
- Enhanced Property Rights and Governance:
- One of the major impacts of this initiative will be the legal recognition of property rights in rural areas. By clearly demarcating land ownership, the scheme helps in the issuance of property titles to rural residents, providing them with legal documents for their land.
Current Coverage and Implementation- States Covered: The scheme is currently being implemented in six states: Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
- Phase-wise Rollout: The mapping is being done in a phase-wise manner, with the goal of completing the project by 2024.
Key Takeaways
The
SVAMITVA scheme is a transformative initiative for rural India, aiming to bring clarity to property rights, enhance the planning process, and improve revenue collection systems. By using
cutting-edge technology like drones and
CORS, it provides a modern solution to rural property mapping. In the long term, this initiative is expected to empower rural communities by improving governance, ensuring better implementation of rural development plans, and facilitating social justice.