Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via virtual means, distributed more than 65 lakh property cards under the Swamitva Scheme to over 50,000 villages across the nation. During the event, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated virtually from his official residence and later physically handed over property certificates, known as Gharauni, to beneficiaries.
The distributed property cards included more than 45.35 lakh Gharaunis from 29,501 village panchayats in Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi highlighted the scheme’s five-year journey and its success in providing rural residents with legal property documents, addressing long-standing challenges related to property ownership disputes and lack of formal documentation.
PM Modi’s Address
The Prime Minister stressed that Swamitva ensures property rights, reduces disputes, and counters illegal land encroachments. “Globally, the lack of legal property documents is a major challenge, and India is no exception. Even with vast rural wealth, many lack formal ownership papers,” he said. This often leads to disputes and financial exclusion, as banks hesitate to provide loans without proper documentation.
Drone surveys have mapped approximately half of India’s six lakh villages, providing residents with legal documents to secure loans and start businesses. Many beneficiaries belong to small and marginal farming communities. PM Modi emphasized that once all villages are covered, the initiative is expected to unlock economic activities worth ₹100 lakh crore, significantly boosting the Indian economy.
The Prime Minister also praised the scheme’s role in improving village planning and disaster management, as clear land records reduce disputes and ensure better implementation of development projects.
CM Yogi Adityanath’s Remarks
CM Yogi expressed gratitude to PM Modi for distributing the property cards and noted that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of beneficiaries, with over 1 crore property cards issued so far. He assured timely resolution of revenue-related disputes and emphasized the role of technology and drone surveys in ensuring accurate and dispute-free documentation.
He mentioned that Gharauni provides legal security to property owners, preventing encroachments and enabling villagers to use their property as collateral for loans. CM Yogi directed officials to expedite drone surveys and ensure timely distribution of remaining property cards.
Transforming Rural Development
The Swamitva Scheme has ushered in a new era for rural development by:
- Establishing village secretariats providing local governance services.
- Offering employment to educated youth as operators in these secretariats.
- Engaging women as Banking Correspondents (BC Sakhis) to ease financial transactions.
- Supporting women self-help groups in operating public toilets and promoting fish farming, pottery, and other livelihoods.
CM Yogi highlighted the state’s commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure, creating employment, and fostering sustainable growth in villages.
With the Swamitva Scheme, India aims to address deep-rooted rural property disputes, empower communities, and drive grassroots economic development.