Context: Recently, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology and Earth Sciences revealed that under the government’s SVAMITVA scheme, geospatial technology along with drones will survey all the over six lakh Indian villages.

• At the same time, pan-India 3D Maps will be prepared for 100 Indian cities. 

About SVAMITVA scheme

• Survey of Villages And Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA )  is a Central Sector Scheme.
• It was launched on the National Panchayati Raj Day in 2020.
• The scheme is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India.
• It has been approved for implementation at an outlay of Rs. 566.23 crore across the country in a phased manner over five years (2020-2025).

Aim

• To demarcate inhabited lands in rural areas through the latest surveying drone technology. 
• To provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited areas in villages with the issuance of legal ownership rights (Property cards/Title deeds).
• To facilitate monetization of properties of the citizens of rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset by taking loans and other financial benefits

Significance

• It has the potential to transform rural India and will ensure streamlined planning, revenue collection and provide clarity over property rights in rural areas.
• The scheme has also provided a boost to the ecosystem of drone manufacturing in the country.

By: Shubham Tiwari