DW BUREAU / Shimla

In a significant step towards rural empowerment, the Himachal Pradesh government has embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of property cards under the Swamitva Yojna. This ambitious scheme was designed to revolutionize land ownership in Abadi Deh areas (inhabited regions), providing rightful ownership to villagers who have occupied these lands for generations. By granting legal recognition to these lands, the Swamitva Yojna is poised to change the landscape of rural Himachal Pradesh, enhancing security and economic opportunities for thousands of families.

Spearheaded by the Revenue Department, the Swamitva Yojna was already making a noticeable impact across the state. In its first phase, over 4,230 families in 190 villages are set to receive their property cards, a move that would have profound implications for land management and ownership. The scheme's implementation was noteworthy for its innovative use of drone-assisted mapping technology, which has successfully covered 13,599 of the 15,196 Abadi Deh villages across Himachal Pradesh. This technological approach has ensured accuracy and efficiency, setting a new standard for land surveys in India.

The Indian Survey Department has played a crucial role in this process, providing 16,588 first-level maps for 6,314 villages across the state. These maps, along with second and final-level maps for hundreds of other villages, were instrumental in ensuring that property cards were distributed accurately and promptly. The initiative has particularly benefited Hamirpur district, which has set a national precedent by becoming the first district to grant ownership rights to families in Abadi Deh areas.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who inaugurated the distribution of property cards, commended Hamirpur district for leading the way. The newly issued property cards were not just legal documents but a solution to many long-standing issues faced by residents, especially in Lal-Dora/Lal-Lakir areas.
(editor@dailyworld.in)