On Tuesday, 18th July 2023, the President of India will bestow the prestigious “Bhoomi Samman” award at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, to recognize the exemplary efforts of 9 State Secretaries and 68 District Collectors, along with their teams, in achieving saturation of the core components of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) – the backbone of governance.
The initiative aims to digitize and modernize land records across the nation, fostering efficiency and transparency in the land administration system.
Giriraj Singh, the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, highlighted the historical significance of this event, marking the first time in 75 years that Revenue and Registration functionaries of the States will be honored for their outstanding performance in land records management. The “Bhoomi Samman” is set to become a landmark recognition, institutionalizing excellence in this crucial domain.
Minister Singh emphasized that the “Bhoomi Samman” Scheme embodies the spirit of cooperative federalism, fostering trust and partnership between the Centre and States/Union Territories. The evaluation for the award is primarily based on the reports and inputs provided by the States/UTs concerning the core components of computerization and digitization of land records.
Digitization of land records and registration is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing the backlog of court cases related to land disputes, thereby mitigating potential GDP losses arising from stalled projects entangled in litigation.
Additionally, the availability of accurate land records is poised to enhance the efficiency of various services and government programs, such as those related to Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Chemical and Fertilizer, Public Distribution System (PDS), Panchayati Raj, and Financial Institutions. The accessibility and uniformity of land records-related information among different stakeholders will significantly contribute to the effectiveness of service delivery.
Giriraj Singh proudly stated that the Department of Land Resources has achieved an impressive 94% digitization rate across the nation and is committed to achieving 100% saturation of the core components of digitization in all districts by 31st March 2024. This ambitious target demonstrates the government’s dedication to embracing technology for the betterment of land governance in India.
The “Bhoomi Samman” award ceremony represents a significant step towards fostering innovation and progress in land administration and heralds a new era of transparent, efficient, and modern land record management in the country. The recognition bestowed upon the State Secretaries, District Collectors, and their teams will not only motivate them but also inspire others to achieve excellence in the critical task of digitizing India’s land records.
