Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani, From Opaqueness to Transparency

Srinagar: Correctly maintained up-to-date land records are basic tools of convenience, clarity and ownership with wider socio-economic ramifications. They not only help in formulation of policies, but also reduce land related litigations thereby maintaining the calm in social fabric.
Post 5th August 2019, Jammu & Kashmir has embarked on an unprecedented developmental trajectory wherein transformational initiatives in all sectors have been launched. Transparency in maintenance and upkeep of Land records was an area which required an urgent intervention. “AapkiZameenAapkiNigrani” (AZAN) is a landmark intervention in this direction.
Earlier, there was no mechanism available for citizens to view or monitor the status of their revenue records online. They had to move from pillar-to-post for obtaining even a copy of land records (Jamabandi or KhasraGirdwari). The opacity in the system encouraged and breeded favouritism, red-tapism and corruption putting citizens at the mercy of the system and the scenario warranted an immediate intervention which could usher in transparency and accountability and this yearning gave birth to “AapkiZameenAapkiNigrani” (AZAN).
“AapkiZameenAapkiNigrani” (AZAN): Land Records Information System was launched on October 22, 2021 by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. Under this system, the Public users can now search and view copies of the Scanned data online on CIS Portal- http://landrecords.jk.gov.in/. In the words of Lt Governor, the initiative will facilitate easy online access to the Land Records System, thereby reducing manipulation of the Land Records and improving the efficiency of Revenue offices substantially.
This initiative is a part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) was formally launched in J&K in April-2016 for improving online accessibility to the Land Records System and stopping manipulation of the Land Records thereby making quality of services in Sub Registrar offices/ Tehsils more efficient and transparent. The programme aims to modernize management of land records, enhance transparency in the land records maintenance system, thus reducing scope of land/property disputes, and facilitate conclusive titles to immovable properties in the country.
The major components of the programme include computerization and digitization of land records, Survey/resurvey and updation of all survey and settlement records, Integration of property registration with land records and cadastral maps for enhancing authenticity and security of data, bringing utmost transparency in the system, Capacity building, and development of Land Records Information System.
As part of the program implementation in UT, 7.70 Crore pages of Revenue record and 55216 Musavi (maps) have been scanned, besides 3895 Ground Control Points have been established, and Web-based Enterprise Geo-Information System (GIS) has been developed. This mammoth task was accomplished in a systematic manner wherein, as per the National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) guidelines, Department of Revenue, Government of J&K created a Project Management Unit (PMU) under the guidance of Financial Commissioner, Revenue, J&K.
To address the land records Modernization programme and subsequent management of the records, the PMU was registered as Society and named as Jammu & Kashmir Land Records Management Agency (JaKLaRMA). The administrative and functional structure of the society is very comprehensive with inclusion of all line departments, agencies and office within J&K. The Society is chaired by Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner Revenue, is the chief executive. This Society oversaw the task of scanning of revenue records and ensured that it is completed in a mission mode and in a time-bound manner.
Consequently, after its launch, the land records portal is now one-stop destination for revenue records. AapkiZameenAapkiNigrani (Your Land, Your Sight) has ushered in an era of transparency and convenience for the citizens. They no longer need to visit to the offices for obtaining information about their revenue record. They can simply view and download the information/record from the land records portal. More than 10.70 lakh citizens have already viewed the status of their land records on the portal with feedback to the department and this feedback of the citizens has resulted in purification and updation of land records. This transparency will further help in information driven policy formulation by the government. Moreover, up-to-date land records will prevent avoidable litigations in the revenue courts which are presently burdened with numerous such cases throughout J&K.
In the series of transformational changes in the sector,
• Jammu & Kashmir Agricultural Land (Conversion for non-agricultural purposes) Regulations, 2022 have been notified. As a result, Change in Land Use (CLU) process has been simplified. The applications for the same can now be filed online and disposal shall be within 30 days thereby promoting Ease of Living for the citizens.
• Jammu and Kashmir Land Pass-Book Rules 2022 have also been notified major highlights of which are: online issuance of Land Pass-book in trilingual mode with verifiable QR Code, Unique Number for every Land Pass-Book.Land Pass Book carry the same evidentiary value as the certified copy of Record-of-Rights.
One of the beneficiaries of ‘Aap Ki ZameenAap Ki Nigrani’ portal, Mr.Showkat Ahmad Masoodiof Kupwara town has expressed his gratitude towards the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha for launching different portals especially Aap Ki ZameenAap Ki Nigrani for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“In fact, the launch of portal is a revolution in itself in the field of revenue records. I think I am the real owner of the land after I got access of this portal”, said Mr.Showkat who is also Convener of the Civil Society Kupwara, adding that the time has gone now when people used to move from pillar to post to see Patwari or Girdawar for ascertaining a little Intikhab or Girdawari of his own land. He said the portal is more user friendly and all educated persons are taking advantage of this portal. He also appealed all land owners to use the portal for their instant benefits. He thanked the LG government for keeping both offline and online modes available for the easy access of the people.
Further, Inderpal Gupta, an 80-year-old businessman from Sunderbani, Rajouri expressed his gratitude for the Lieutenant Governor. “One day while browsing social media, a video from the then Deputy Commissioner had popped up on my phone. It was about the usage of the landrecordsjk.gov.in portal. After registering on the portal, I was surprised to find all the revenue records which are required by an individual available on the portal”, said Mr. Gupta.
“With this, I now don’t have to move to Tehsil and Patwar-khana for my revenue records.All my revenue records are now available on my screen just a click away. The best thing about the portal is the grievance redressal mechanism.”
We are highly thankful to the LG for launching such revolutionary services and moving towards the dreams of Good Governance.