VIJAYAWADA: For generations, millions of families in rural Andhra Pradesh have lived on ancestral lands without legal documentation to prove their ownership. Although these lands were inherited and enjoyed for decades, the absence of title deeds prevented villagers from selling their properties or using them to secure loans.
To address this issue, the PM Svamitva Yojana was launched by the Union government and is being actively implemented by the Andhra Pradesh government.
The scheme is revolutionizing rural India. Utilizing advanced technologies such as drones and rovers, survey teams systematically map every area of the villages, including Gram Kantham Abadi and extended Gram Kanthas. These surveys measure each house and plot accurately, and the data is being digitalized to create precise village maps. Following these surveys, families will receive certificates of ownership that will grant them legal rights to their properties. For many villagers, these certificates not only resolve long-standing boundary disputes but also pave the way for financial independence.
Officials are implementing a phased approach to survey the large number of properties in the state. The first phase covered 5.18 lakh property parcels, and the ongoing second phase aims to survey 43.22 lakh properties across 5,850 villages, with an ambitious completion date of October 31. The remaining 45 lakh parcels will be covered in the third phase. Authorities are optimistic that this extensive initiative will permanently settle rural property disputes and streamline records for future generations.
According to panchayat raj director Krishna Teja, the initiative has multiple benefits: “The ownership survey is indeed advantageous for rural communities. It aids in resolving disputes, providing title deeds for private lands, and accurately defining government lands. The panchayat raj department is progressing with a specific plan,” he explained.
This program will also increase the revenue of local panchayats. Long-untaxed properties will be identified and included in the tax system, ensuring accountability and empowering local bodies with essential funds for development.
