SVAMITVA Scheme: A Catalyst for Rural Empowerment

What is the SVAMITVA Scheme?

The SVAMITVA Scheme, an acronym for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas, aims to grant legal ownership to rural households through the issuance of property cards. This initiative allows villagers, who have lived in their homes for generations, to possess a legal document that certifies their ownership of residential properties.

How Does the Scheme Work?

The scheme employs advanced technologies, including drones, to map out rural properties effectively. By creating precise maps and records for each property within a village, the scheme facilitates the issuance of property cards to rightful owners, ensuring that ownership is legally documented.

Benefits of the Property Card

• Access to Loans: Rural households can leverage their property cards as collateral, enabling them to secure loans from financial institutions. For instance, a farmer can obtain a loan to buy seeds or to expand their small business.
• Determining Property Tax: This initiative aids Gram Panchayats in collecting property taxes in states where they hold the authority to do so, ensuring a structured revenue system.
• Economic Activity: Property cards enhance liquidity, allowing individuals to sell, transfer, or utilize their properties for financial benefits.

Improvement in Rural Governance

The SVAMITVA Scheme significantly contributes to better rural governance by establishing accurate land records. This development supports:

• Identification of land encroachments.
• Effective planning of construction projects.
• Improved revenue collection for Gram Panchayats.

Success of the Scheme

Since its inception in 2020, the SVAMITVA Scheme has successfully mapped over 3.17 lakh villages using drone technology, covering 92% of the targeted areas. Property cards have been issued for land valued at ₹132 lakh crore, thereby significantly enhancing rural economies.

Who Benefits the Most from the Scheme?

• Rural families, particularly farmers, can utilize their property for financial needs or the growth of small businesses.
• Gram Panchayats benefit from improved governance tools and increased revenue through property taxes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the main goal of the SVAMITVA Scheme?
Answer: The primary objective of the SVAMITVA Scheme is to provide legal ownership to rural households through property cards, enhancing their rights over residential properties.

Q2. How does drone technology assist in the SVAMITVA Scheme?
Answer: Drone technology is utilized to create accurate maps of rural properties, which are crucial for issuing property cards to rightful owners, ensuring precise land records.

Q3. What are the economic benefits of having a property card?
Answer: Property cards allow rural households to secure loans, determine property taxes, and enhance liquidity, thus promoting economic activities and financial stability.

Q4. How has the SVAMITVA Scheme impacted rural governance?
Answer: The scheme aids in creating accurate land records, enabling better planning, identification of land encroachments, and improved revenue collection for local governance bodies.

Q5. Who are the key beneficiaries of the SVAMITVA Scheme?
Answer: The scheme primarily benefits rural families, especially farmers, by providing them with legal documentation of ownership, facilitating financial growth and security.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What does SVAMITVA stand for?
A) Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improved Technology
B) Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology
C) Survey of Villages and Management with Innovative Technology
D) Survey of Villages and Mapping with Integrated Technology
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: What technology is primarily used in the SVAMITVA Scheme for mapping?
A) Satellite Imaging
B) Drone Technology
C) Ground Surveys
D) Aerial Photography
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: How many villages have been mapped under the SVAMITVA Scheme as of now?
A) 1 lakh
B) 2.5 lakh
C) 3.17 lakh
D) 4 lakh
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: What is one of the benefits of acquiring a property card?
A) Increased land area
B) Legal documentation of ownership
C) Automatic tax exemption
D) Government grants
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: Which entity benefits from the property tax collected through the SVAMITVA Scheme?
A) State Government
B) Central Government
C) Gram Panchayat
D) Local Municipalities
Correct Answer: C

Question 6: When was the SVAMITVA Scheme launched?
A) 2018
B) 2019
C) 2020
D) 2021
Correct Answer: C