In a significant recognition of outstanding achievements in the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the prestigious “Bhoomi Samman” 2023 at a special ceremony organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in New Delhi on July 18, 2023. The prestigious awards were bestowed upon State Secretaries, District Collectors, and their dedicated teams who have excelled in achieving the saturation of the core components of the DILRMP
Addressing the gathering on this momentous occasion, President Murmu emphasized that accelerating rural development is indispensable for the overall progress of the country. Recognizing the pivotal role of rural areas in India’s socio-economic fabric, she underscored the significance of modernizing land records as a fundamental requirement. Given that the livelihoods of a substantial rural population are intricately linked to land resources, a comprehensive integrated land management system assumes paramount importance in driving the holistic development of rural regions.
President Murmu lauded the merits of digitization, asserting that it enhances transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in governance. The modernization and digitization of land records, she emphasized, would leave a profound impact on the nation’s development trajectory. By establishing linkages between land records and various government departments, the effective implementation of welfare schemes would be facilitated. Moreover, in times of calamities like floods and fires, digitization would prove invaluable in safeguarding essential land-related documents and information.
Highlighting a groundbreaking development under the Digital India Land Information Management System, the President announced the introduction of a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number, comparable in utility to the Aadhaar Card. This identification number would optimize land usage, as well as foster the formulation and execution of new welfare initiatives. Additionally, integrating E-Courts with land records and registration databases would reap numerous benefits, further enhancing transparency and curbing unethical and illegal activities related to land.
The President underscored the transformative potential of providing free and accessible land-related information. Such accessibility would play a pivotal role in resolving disputes concerning land ownership and usage. Presently, a substantial portion of the population is embroiled in land-related disputes, necessitating a considerable amount of time and effort from the administration and judiciary. Digitization and interconnected information systems hold the promise of channelling this energy towards productive development endeavours.
The “Bhoomi Samman” 2023 awards ceremony was a testament to the dedication and commitment demonstrated by State Secretaries, District Collectors, and their teams in realizing the goals of the DILRMP. Their exemplary efforts have contributed significantly to the nation’s broader objectives of modernization and equitable growth.
The event also served as a rallying call for continued efforts towards rural development and the advancement of digital solutions across India. With the accelerated adoption of digital technologies and data-driven governance, the vision of a transformed rural landscape becomes increasingly attainable. As the country continues to embrace digital transformation, the impact on the lives of rural communities would be profound, ushering in an era of progress, prosperity, and empowerment.
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh , 19 July 2023
