NAKSHA Program

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy 

In News

• The Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture inaugurated the NAKSHA program in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh.

Digitization of Land Records 

• The digitization of land records  is modernizing land ownership management in rural India, addressing challenges like complex paperwork and ownership disputes.
• Status:  Nearly 95% of rural land records have been digitized since 2016, improving transparency and accessibility.

Benefits of Digitization

• It enhances transparency and reduces illegal encroachments.
• It simplifies dispute resolution and reduces court burdens.
• It empowers marginalized communities by improving access to land rights.
• Geospatial mapping integration aids in accurate surveys and land management.

Challenges 

• Land reforms face significant challenges due to outdated and missing land records across the country, especially in northeastern states with community-owned land and limited land records.
• Many cadastral maps are outdated and some are missing, causing discrepancies in land ownership. 

Initiatives 

• Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): DILRMP, launched in April 2016, aims to create a modern, transparent land records system with real-time land information.
  • Fully funded by the central government, it aims to reduce land disputes, prevent fraud, and optimize land use.
• NAKSHA program : It is expected to cost ₹194 crore, fully funded by the Government of India.
  • The program covers 152 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across 26 states and 3 Union Territories.
• Survey of India is Technical partner, responsible for aerial surveys and orthorectified imagery.
• Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation (MPSEDC) develops the end-to-end web-GIS platform.
• National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) provides storage facilities.
• Objective: Aims to create and update urban land records for accurate and reliable documentation of land ownership.
• SVAMITVA Scheme: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is implementing the Central Sector Scheme SVAMITVA with the aim to provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited areas in villages.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• The government’s initiative is revolutionizing land governance by increasing transparency and accessibility, especially for marginalized communities.
• This shift towards organized, efficient land record management contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society, fostering economic growth and stability.

Source: TH