Recent Developments

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: DIGITALIZATION OF LAND RECORD

Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)

Launched in 2008, DILRMP aims to:

Digitize and modernize land records.

Automate updates and mutations (changes in ownership) in records.

Integrate textual and spatial data for land parcels.

Connect revenue and registration departments.

Replace current deed registration with a guaranteed conclusive titling system.

Key Components

Computerized land records.

Land surveying and re-surveying.

Registration computerization.

Modern record rooms and management centers at local levels.

Training and capacity building for involved personnel.

Benefits

Real-time access to land ownership records for citizens.

Reduced citizen interaction with government officials.

Faster and easier access to land records through single- window service.

Reduced risk of fraudulent property deals.

E-linkages for easier access to credit facilities.

NATIONAL GENERIC DOCUMENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM (NGDRS)

Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development launched the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) as part of the Digital India

Land Records Modernization Programme. NGDRS is a single platform for registering documents and properties across India has been implemented in 10 states/UTs, benefiting over 10 crore people.

The system offers several advantages, including:

Reduced land disputes and fraudulent transactions.

Faster document registration: time taken in document registration has reduced from 9 to 6 processes and from 3-4 hours to 15-20 minutes respectively.

Online appointment scheduling and property information access through SMS.

Improved monitoring and data analysis for authorities through live dashboard.

Integration: data shared and used by important government authorities/stakeholders like the Revenue Department (Income Tax) can be incorporated with data policy and standards in place; and even external system integrations can be provided as required (i.e. eSign, eKYC, Payment Gateways, PAN Verification, ROR to fetch party names for data standardization).

NGDRS is expected to improve India’s ease of doing business ranking and enhance citizen convenience.

UNIQUE LAND PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (ULPIN) SCHEME

Launched in 2021 as part of the DILRMP, ULPIN is a unique 14-digit alphanumeric ID for land parcels in India. It will be an Integrated Land Information Management System (ILIMS) plan for India. Similar to Aadhaar for individuals, ULPIN uses longitude, latitude, and lineage to identify land uniquely. It has the following features

Information: The landowner’s confidential inform-ation, such as their age, location, sexual orientation, bank account information, and other specifics about the land they own, is contained in their unique number.

Up-to-date: ULPIN guarantees unique identification of land parcels and ensures the accuracy and swift updation of land titles.

Modernized Records: The program involves resurve- ying land, computerizing records and registrations, and streamlining procedures.

Transparency and Access: Citizens gain real-time access to their property information. It will also eliminate the need for stamp paper while facilitating online payment of land taxes.

Simplified Transactions: It protects government property from being taken over and offers cost-effective record management.

Data-Driven Decisions: Enables informed planning for agriculture and other sectors through accurate land data.

Reduced Disputes: Reduces land disputes due to clear ownership identification.

DIGITAL AGRISTACK

AgriStack is a standardized platform to provide end-to-end services across the whole value chain of agriculture and food processing to farmers. Government hopes AgriStack will contribute to tripling farmer's income and improve targeting of services, subsidies, and initiatives for farmers.

Farmer ID: Each farmer who participates in the program will acquire a unique digital identity, or farmers’ ID, that will include personal information, details on the land they farm, and financial and productivity statistics. Each ID will be linked to the individual’s Aadhaar ID.

Coordination: Central and state data will be independent architectural elements that can cooperate to give farmers the data they require.

Pilot Project: With Microsoft has been launched in 100 villages over six states where only “necessary data sets” will be shared to develop a smart interface.

Centralized Platform: Government-built platform for digitizing delivery of agricultural services.

However, there are certain challenges in successful implementation of this programme

Incomplete Land Records: While most villages have digital land records, key details like cadastral maps (land ownership details) are often missing or outdated. This compromises the accuracy of AgriStack data.

Commercialization Concerns: AgriStack’s focus on creating a “business unit” out of small farms through unique IDs and private sector involvement raises concerns about commercialization of agriculture.

Dispute Resolution: The programme requires physical verification of digital records, however this is impossible when there are ownership disputes. Settling such disputes can be time-consuming.

Data Privacy Issues: Private companies might have unfettered access to sensitive farmer data, raising privacy concerns which must be mitigated by laws.

Exclusion and Literacy Barriers: Sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and agricultural laborers risk exclusion if the farmer database relies solely on land records. Additionally, low internet penetration and digital literacy rates in rural areas could limit farmer participation.

Land Banking

Land banking is the practice of acquiring land at current market rates or lower, with the goal of selling it later for a profit. Land aggregators, often with expertise in geographic trends and infrastructure development, identify promising areas for investment. They may acquire undeveloped land, prepare necessary documentation, and hold onto it until its value increases.

Who Uses Land Banking?

Government Agencies: Governments use land banking for long-term civic planning, securing land for future roads, metro, hospitals, or economic development projects.

Businesses: Companies can use land banking to secure strategically located land for future expansion or development, guided by city master plans.

Universities, Non Profit Organization & NGOs : These entities acquire land for future growth or expansion to serve public needs.

Individuals: Owning properties, including land, provides a sense of security. Individuals can use land as wealth creation vehicles, either for their retirement plans, to pay for their children’s education, or to create a family legacy.

LAND BANKING MODELS IN INDIA

Buying and selling model: In this model, the land aggregator will buy land from the primary land owner and sell it to a third party.

Joint Development: Owner and developer collaborate, with the owner contributing land and the developer handling construction. This is most popular.

Land leasing model: Landowners lease their land for a long period without development. This is a less expensive option for land mobilization. Mobilizing land through leasing contracts is less expensive than through the buying and selling model. Here, the land aggregator works as a middleman between land- owners and the third party, to process lease contracts, provide guarantees to the procedure and to process the mobilization of land

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