NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.: General Studies Economics Land Reforms Modernization

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Land Reforms Modernization

  1. As stated above, the result of the decline of land revenue as major sources of revenue for the States was a declining investment in this sector through the Plan funds. This led to a gross neglect of the survey and maintenance of land records, making them hopelessly out-of-date and, therefore, unreliable.
  2. With the advent of the industrial and commercial sectors, land emerged as an important economic resource. For development to take place at a rapid pace it was imperative to have updated and accurate land records at all time. However, the traditional manual methods of maintenance of land records could not keep pace with the requirements of the modern State. It was the advent of modern technology which made the availability of real-time records an achievable objective.
  3. Modernization of land records was first suggested by State Revenue Ministers in a Conference held in New Delhi in 1985. As a consequence, two programmes were launched by the Central Government, viz.
    1. Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) , in 1987 − 88.
    2. Computerization of Land Records (CLR) , in 1988 − 89.
  4. Under these schemes, support was provided to the States and Union Territories for strengthening of the land records maintenance infrastructure, adoption of modern survey and information technology for updating and computerization of both textual and spatial records, digitization of maps, training and capacity building.
  5. The way the schemes were framer, the exit modes were not defined; nor were technology options for survey firmed up; neither was the system of monitoring emphatically spelt out. Further, both the schemes of CLR and SRA&ULR excluded interconnectivity, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, connectivity with banks and treasuries, and Registration the last of which is a vital link in updating the land records.
  6. Progress was uneven across the country; some States moved forward rapidly, pooling together the Central Government support and their own resources and initiatives, e. g. Karnataka and Goa; others lagged behind, or made progress only in some areas, such as, computerization of outdated textual records.
  7. Keeping in view the above position, the Cabinet approved on 21st August, 2008, the merger of these two Centrally-sponsored scheme of CLR and SRA&ULR, and their modification and replacement with the Centrally-sponsored scheme of the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) .
  8. The NLRMP combines the key components of the two schemes, adds new components such as integration of textual and spatial records computerization of Registration and inter-connectivity between Revenue and Registration systems, firmed up modern technology options for survey and core GIS. This integration and enhanced scheme has a its goal the introduction in the country of conclusive titling with title guarantee and indemnification, instead of the present land titling system which provides merely for Registration of deeds and documents and presumptive property titles.
  9. The NLRMP has four major components
    1. computerization of property
    2. survey and preparation of maps using modern technologies
    3. computerization of the Registration process
    4. training and capacity building.
  10. The NLRMP is being implemented in a methodical manner and all the district in the country are expected to be covered by the end of the 12th Plan. Further, the activities are being undertaken in a systematic manner, which are to converge in the district and district is the unit of implementation. So far 206 district in 29

States/UTs have been covered under the programme and funds to the tune of ₹ 518.63 crore have been released towards Central share.

Courtesy: Yojana