New Delhi, 19 January 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday distributed over 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme, describing it as a transformative step towards strengthening rural economic activities and alleviating poverty.
The event, held virtually, included interactions with beneficiaries and participation from multiple government officials and state representatives.
The property cards, issued to beneficiaries across more than 50,000 villages in 10 states and two Union territories, are part of the government’s broader rural empowerment drive.
The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme was launched in 2020 to digitize land records and provide legal ownership documents for properties in rural India.
“Property rights have been a global challenge,” Modi remarked, referencing a UN study highlighting the lack of legal documentation in many countries.
“In India, this problem impacted our villages significantly. Lakhs of crores worth of property remained ‘dead capital’ because it lacked legal papers. Disputes over properties were common, and banks refused to offer loans against them,” he added.
The prime minister noted that the scheme has changed this scenario by enabling property owners to access institutional credit and other government benefits. “After receiving legal property rights, lakhs have taken loans to start businesses, many of them farmers. This initiative guarantees financial security,” he said, estimating that once fully implemented, the scheme could unlock economic activities worth over ₹100 lakh crore.
Drone technology has played a key role in mapping villages, with surveys completed in half of India’s six lakh villages, Modi shared. Additionally, the government has digitized 98% of land records, providing unique identities through the Bhu-Aadhaar system, with 23 crore numbers already issued.
Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’, Union Minister of State S P Singh Baghel, and Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj attended the event alongside other Union and state ministers. Modi also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of local governance bodies during the physical distribution ceremonies organized in over 230 districts.
“Rural land digitization is empowering villages by leveraging technology and good governance,” Modi later said in a post on X, reaffirming his government’s commitment to poverty reduction through property rights.
The scheme’s benefits extend beyond ownership, helping reduce property disputes, facilitate better property tax assessments in rural areas, and enable long-term village-level planning.
Modi stressed the need for previous governments to address property challenges in villages, noting that Dalits, tribals, and backward classes were disproportionately affected.
“The SVAMITVA Yojana is foundational for village development. It ensures dignity, security, and financial inclusion for rural households,” Modi said, adding that the initiative reflects the government’s focus on empowering rural India.
