SVAMITVA Scheme

In News

SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme is a Central Sector scheme launched on National Panchayat Day i.e 24th April 2020. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of the scheme. In the States, the Revenue Department/ Land Records Department will be the Nodal Department and shall carry out the scheme with support of the State Panchayati Raj Department. Survey of India shall work as the technology partner for implementation.

Features of SVAMITVA Scheme

• The scheme aims to provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India. The demarcation of rural abadi areas would be done using drone surveying technology. 
• This would provide the ‘record of rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas in villages which, in turn, would enable them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits from the bank.
• Lack of accurate land records are felt most acutely in times of crisis. Cyclone Amphan has devastated vast expanses of coastal Odisha and West Bengal, and left millions homeless. Any relief efforts aimed at helping people rebuild their homes would benefit hugely from land records that identify who lived where, and the boundaries and extent of their land. 
• The 2018 Economic Survey estimated only 19% of the potential property tax was being collected by Gram Panchayats. One possible reason for low collection would be the lack of data about the properties.
• The scheme aims at a pan-India cadastral survey facilitated by drones and followed by the issuance of property cards.

Objectives of the Scheme

• 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.
• Creation of accurate land records for rural planning.
• 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.
• To reduce property related disputes and legal cases