Land Surveys in Bihar: A Step Towards Transparency
As Bihar gears up for its upcoming assembly elections, the state government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is taking significant steps to enhance land management. The Revenue and Land Reforms Department has initiated an extensive land survey covering a staggering 45,000 villages across the state. To expedite this ambitious project, approximately 10,000 officials have been appointed, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving land records and resolving longstanding disputes.
Chief Minister’s Directive
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made it clear that the land survey should be completed well ahead of the elections, with a target set to finish the work before July 2025. He stated, “I have said that this work (land survey) should be done before the elections,” underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
Digitization of Land Records
In a move towards modernizing land management, the department has successfully digitized around 6.4 crore revenue documents. Plans are in place to digitize an additional 160-200 million documents by the end of next year. Once digitized, these documents will be publicly accessible for a nominal fee, fostering greater transparency in land transactions across the state.
Aims of the Land Survey
The primary objectives of this land survey are twofold: to digitize the state’s land data and to alleviate the ongoing land disputes that have overwhelmed Bihar’s judicial system over the years. By providing accurate and easily accessible land data, the government hopes to create a more transparent framework for land transactions that can minimize disputes.
Self-Declaration Process Clarified
On September 7, Bihar’s Revenue and Land Reforms Department Minister, Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, addressed public concerns regarding the self-declaration forms required for the survey. He reassured residents that there is no deadline for submitting these forms, allowing landowners ample time to participate without unnecessary pressure.
Jaiswal emphasized the importance of community awareness, urging citizens to be cautious of fraudulent middlemen who may take advantage of the confusion surrounding the land survey. He provided guidance on accessing 12 different types of land-related documents available on the department’s portal, bhuabhilekh.bihar.gov.in. These documents are essential for individuals looking to submit their self-declaration forms.
Accessibility for All Landowners
For individuals without existing documentation to prove land ownership, the self-declaration form can still be submitted at the local block camp. Additionally, users can upload the required documents via the official website of the Directorate of Land Records and Survey, dlrs.bihar.gov.in, thus ensuring all landowners can partake in this initiative.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The land survey has attracted political scrutiny, particularly from election strategist and Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishore, who expressed concerns that the survey could lead to increased familial conflicts within six months. In response, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar dismissed Kishore’s claims, suggesting that his skepticism stems from unfavorable results in his election surveys.
Conclusion
As Bihar embarks on this monumental land survey project, the government’s efforts to digitize land data and streamline land transactions mark a critical step towards enhancing governance and reducing legal disputes. With the assembly elections approaching, how these changes will be perceived by the electorate remains to be seen, but the intentions to bring about transparency are certainly evident.
