SVAMITVA Scheme: Unlocking Economic Growth and Property Rights for Rural India

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SVAMITVA Scheme
Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM Modi

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described property cards distributed under the Centre’s SVAMITVA scheme as a “guarantee of economic security.”
Addressing an event via video conferencing, he announced the distribution of over 65 lakh property cards to owners in more than 50,000 villages across 230 districts. He highlighted that once implemented nationwide, the scheme could unlock economic activity worth over ₹100 lakh crore.

SVAMITVA Scheme

About
- SVAMITVA stand for – Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas
  - It is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
  - It a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India.
- It was nation-wide launched on National Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2021.
Aim
- This Scheme is a reformative step towards establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited areas.
- It does so by:
  - mapping of land parcels using drone technology and
  - providing ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners with issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to the property owners.
Objectives
- Creation of accurate land records for rural planning and reduce property related disputes.
- To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
- Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the GPs directly in States where it is devolved or else, add to the State exchequer.
- Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
- To support in preparation of better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.
Broad areas of impact
- Inclusive Society
  - There is a link between access to property rights and improvement in socio-economic standards of vulnerable population in villages.
  - The SVAMITVA Scheme aims to develop this link.
- Land Governance
  - Lack of clearly demarcated Abadi area has led to high number of land-conflict cases.
  - The scheme aims to address the root cause for disputes at local level.
- Sustainable Habitats
  - High-resolution digital maps for better Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) will lead to improvement across infrastructure.
- Economic Growth
  - The key outcome is to help people monetize their property as collateral.
  - Furthermore, a boost to India’s economic growth through streamlining of Property tax, in States where it is levied leading to increase in investments and ease of doing business.

Image Caption: SVAMITVA Scheme – Broad areas of impact

Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM Modi

Highlighted economic potential of SVAMITVA Scheme
- PM Modi highlighted emphasized the role of property cards as a “guarantee of economic security.”
  - Legal property documents have enabled lakhs of people, including small and medium farmers, to secure bank loans and start businesses.
  - The property cards are addressing long-standing issues of illegal occupation and court disputes, particularly benefiting Dalit, backward, and tribal families.
  - Nationwide implementation is expected to unlock economic activity worth ₹100 lakh crore.
Status
- Nearly 50% of India’s 6 lakh villages have been surveyed by drones since the scheme’s launch in 2020, benefiting 2.25 crore people with legal property documents.
Global Context and Property Rights
- The Prime Minister cited a UN study and a renowned economist’s book, explaining how lack of legal property rights renders villagers’ assets as “dead capital,” restricting their economic potential.
Advancements in Land Digitization and Drone Surveys
- 23 crore Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN – unique land parcel identification number) numbers have been issued as part of foundational systems for village development.
- Approximately 98% of land records have been digitized, and most land maps are now available digitally.
- Drone surveys have been completed in over 3.17 lakh villages (92% of the target), with full saturation achieved in regions like Puducherry, Tripura, Goa, and Haryana.

Q.1. What is the primary aim of the SVAMITVA scheme?

The SVAMITVA scheme aims to establish clear property ownership in rural areas by mapping land parcels using drones and providing legal property documents, ensuring economic security and reducing land disputes..

Q.2. How has the SVAMITVA scheme impacted rural India?

The scheme has empowered 2.25 crore people by providing legal property documents, enabling access to bank loans, fostering economic activity, and addressing land disputes, especially benefiting vulnerable groups like Dalit, backward, and tribal families.