Context
The government has said that it plans to prepare digital maps of all its 6,00,000 villages and pan-India 3D maps will be prepared for 100 cities under SVAMITVA scheme.
What is the SWAMITVA Scheme?
- SWAMITVA is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- It Aims to provide clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (Abadi) areas by mapping land parcels using drone technology and providing ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners with issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to the property owners.
- The Scheme is implemented with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department and Survey of India.
Benefits of the scheme
- The delivery of property rights through an official document will enable villagers to access bank finance using their property as collateral.
- The property records for a village will also be maintained at the Panchayat level, allowing for the collection of associated taxes from the owners.
- The money generated from these local taxes will be used to build rural infrastructure and facilities.
- Freeing the residential properties including land of title disputes and the creation of an official record is likely to result in appreciation in the market value of the properties.
- The accurate property records can be used for facilitating tax collection, new building and structure plan, issuing of permits and for thwarting attempts at property grabbing.
Updated guidelines on SWAMITVA Scheme
- The updated guidelines help private companies to prepare a variety of maps without needing approvals from a host of ministries.
- They aim to make it easier to use drones and develop applications via location mapping.
What is a Pan India 3D Maps Program?
- It was launched by private technology firm Genesys International.
- It aims to create pan-India 3D maps for 100 Indian cities.
- These 3D maps would depict reality as it is.
- The maps will be available in a freemium model which will be partly free and partly paid.
- This would benefit a huge number of start-ups, private enterprises as the 3D maps will unlock the potential of augmented reality and new areas of growth.
