SVAMITVA Scheme: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today distributed over 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme to property owners across more than 50,000 villages in over 230 districts in 10 states and 2 Union Territories via video conferencing. The Prime Minister described the day as historic for rural India, offering greetings to all beneficiaries.
The SVAMITVA scheme, launched five years ago, aims to provide legal property documents to those residing in rural areas. Shri Modi noted that different states call property ownership certificates by various names, including Gharoni, Adhikar Abhilekh, and Awaasiya Bhumi Patta. He highlighted that over 1.5 crore people have received SVAMITVA cards in the past five years, with more than 65 lakh families receiving them today. Through this scheme, around 2.25 crore rural households now possess legal documents for their properties.
Addressing global challenges like climate change and water scarcity, the Prime Minister also emphasized the worldwide issue of property rights and the absence of legal documentation for many people’s properties. A United Nations study cited by the Prime Minister revealed that property rights are crucial for reducing poverty. He added that millions of rural residents in India, despite owning valuable property, often lacked legal recognition, leading to disputes and illegal occupations. Previous governments, he said, did not address this issue, but in 2014, the government launched the SVAMITVA scheme to tackle this challenge through drone surveys and legal property documents.
The Prime Minister mentioned that over 6 lakh villages in India exist, with drone surveys completed in nearly half. These legal documents have enabled millions of people to access bank loans and start small businesses. He pointed out that Dalit, backward, and tribal families were particularly vulnerable to illegal occupations, and the scheme has provided them with security and peace of mind. Shri Modi also stated that once property cards are issued in all villages, the country could see a boost in economic activities worth over 100 lakh crore rupees.
Furthermore, he emphasized that property cards will facilitate better village planning, resolving land disputes, identifying Panchayat land, and improving disaster management. With the digitization of land records, land ownership disputes will be minimized, and corruption reduced.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the success of other schemes like electricity access, sanitation, Ujjwala gas connections, and tap water, which have benefitted millions of rural families. He stressed that these efforts reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring basic amenities reach the most underserved populations, especially Dalit, tribal, and backward communities.
In terms of infrastructure, Shri Modi pointed out that since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, over 8.25 lakh kilometers of roads have been constructed, with nearly half of them built in the last 10 years. Additionally, over 2 lakh Panchayats now have broadband connectivity, a significant increase from fewer than 100 before 2014.
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing that the government’s focus on rural empowerment, including the Swamitva Yojana, will continue to transform rural India and ensure that every village contributes to the country’s growth and prosperity.
Background
Launched in 2020, the SVAMITVA scheme uses drone technology to survey rural areas and provide property cards to households. It aims to enhance economic growth, reduce property disputes, and enable better planning and tax assessments in villages. The scheme has already reached full saturation in several states and Union Territories, with surveys completed in over 3.17 lakh villages.
