Land records computerisation to begin in one zilla in each state

New Delhi, July 7 (UNI) The Centre has asked state governments to identify one zilla in each state where the computerisation programme of land records could be taken up as a pilot project.

Underscoring the priority accorded by the Centre in pushing land reforms, as a first step, it has asked states to implement the Centrally-sponsored scheme of Computerisation of Land Records which is also expected to give a boost to computerisation in issuance of income, caste and tax certificates in the states.

Till March 31, 2006, the Union Government has released Rs 445.38 crore to states and union territories under the scheme, of which Rs 279.24 crore -- nearly 63 per cent -- has been utilised by states, latest official figures show.

Though the work on computerising land records had started in 1988, it had not been taken up in right earnest till now.

According to available figures, land records data centres have been sanctioned in 3,519 tehsils or taluks, 1,019 subdivisions and 582 districts.

Of these, computer centres have been set up in 3,225 tehsils, taluks and blocks. In 2,755 tehsils, taluks and blocks computerised copies of RORs are being issued to landlords on demand.

Started in 1988-89, the scheme aims to bring in efficiency, transparency and easy accessibility to the system of land records by removing inherent flaws in the existing land records system.

Though importance of maintaining and updating land records has been emphasised from the First Plan, land records in most parts of the country are in a bad shape.

Initially pilot projects were initiated in eight districts of the country. Subsequently, it was extended to other districts. Earlier, the district was chosen for creating basic infrastructure on data entry. After completion of data entry (including verification and validation at the district level) data has to be sent to tehsil or taluk computer centres for regular operation.

Under the Seventh Plan, 24 districts were sanctioned. During the Eighth and Ninth Plans, 299 and 259 districts respectively were sanctioned.

In 1997-98, it was decided that the scheme would not be limited to the district level but made available down to the taluk or tehsil or block level to facilitate better accessibility on demand of computerised copies of RoRs.

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