Table of Contents

APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 19/03/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (19-03-2025).

Mains Question

“Land record digitization is crucial for ensuring transparency, reducing disputes, and promoting economic development. Discuss the benefits and challenges of digitizing land records in India, with special reference to Assam’s Mission Basundhara 2.0. Suggest measures for effective implementation.” (GS Paper 2: Governance, E-Governance, Land Reforms, GS Paper 3: Technology in Governance)

Model Answer

Introduction

Land is one of the most valuable assets in India, yet millions of people lack clear ownership titles due to outdated, paper-based land records. Digitization of land records is essential to reduce corruption, streamline transactions, and resolve disputes.

Assam’s Mission Basundhara 2.0 is a major step toward modernizing land governance by integrating GIS mapping, online land transactions, and Aadhaar-linked land ownership verification. However, technical, legal, and administrative challenges must be addressed for successful implementation.

Significance of Land Record Digitization in India

✅ 1. Ensuring Land Ownership Transparency & Reducing Corruption

Prevents land encroachment and fraudulent land sales.
Digital land databases ensure real-time verification of ownership.

✅ 2. Faster Land Transactions & Improved Ease of Doing Business

Reduces delays in land mutation, partition, and sale registrations.
Attracts private investment by making land acquisition more efficient.

✅ 3. Reducing Land-Related Disputes & Legal Conflicts

Digitized records prevent multiple claims over a single plot.
Geospatial surveys ensure accurate boundary demarcation.

✅ 4. Strengthening Farmer Welfare & Rural Development

Digitized land records help farmers access bank loans and government subsidies.
Simplifies land leasing for agricultural cooperatives.

✅ 5. Promoting Infrastructure Development & Urban Planning

Speeds up land acquisition for highways, railways, and smart city projects.
Enables accurate land valuation and taxation for urban development.

Challenges in Implementing Land Record Digitization

✅ 1. Resistance from Local Revenue Officials & Landowners

Fear of losing control over manual land records and rent-seeking opportunities.
Traditional landowners hesitate to register land formally due to tax concerns.

✅ 2. Incomplete & Inaccurate Land Data

Many old land records are missing or incomplete.
Boundary disputes arise due to outdated maps and poor documentation.

✅ 3. Digital Infrastructure & Internet Connectivity Issues

Remote villages lack proper internet access for online land transactions.
Need for local e-Governance centers to bridge the digital divide.

✅ 4. Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Risks

Digitized land records are vulnerable to hacking and data manipulation.
Lack of a strong cybersecurity framework for land databases.

✅ 5. Slow Legal & Administrative Reforms

Different states have different land laws, making integration difficult.
Legal challenges in updating inheritance laws and tribal land rights.

Case Study: Assam’s Mission Basundhara 2.0

✅ Key Features of the Initiative:

100% digitization of land records with GIS-based mapping.
Online land mutation, partition, and transfer services.
Aadhaar-linked land ownership database to prevent fraud.
Fast-track dispute resolution through AI-based document verification.

✅ Expected Benefits:

Reduction in land disputes by providing legally verified ownership records.
Boost in investment as transparent land records make acquisition easier.
Empowerment of rural communities with direct access to land services.

✅ Challenges in Implementation:

Need for trained manpower in digital land governance.
Technical issues in mapping flood-prone and disputed lands.

Measures for Effective Implementation of Land Digitization

✅ 1. Expanding Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity

Setting up local e-Governance centers in villages for land services.
Strengthening BharatNet to ensure high-speed internet in remote areas.

✅ 2. Strengthening Cybersecurity & Data Protection

Using blockchain technology for tamper-proof land transactions.
Implementing strict authentication protocols to prevent fraud.

✅ 3. Addressing Legal & Bureaucratic Challenges

Fast-tracking land law reforms for easier digitization.
Introducing a single-window clearance system for land transactions.

✅ 4. Public Awareness & Training Programs

Conducting workshops to educate farmers on digital land records.
Training government officials on using AI-driven land verification tools.

✅ 5. Integrating AI & Satellite Mapping for Accuracy

Using drones and GIS technology for real-time land surveys.
AI-based document verification to detect ownership discrepancies.

Way Forward

✅ 1. Strengthening Institutional Framework for Land Governance

Establishing a National Land Digitization Authority to standardize records across states.

✅ 2. Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for Digital Land Services

Tech firms can help develop AI-powered land monitoring systems.

✅ 3. Ensuring Land Rights for Marginalized Communities

Special provisions for tribal and forest-dwelling communities.

✅ 4. Periodic Updates & Maintenance of Digital Land Records

Regular updates to keep records accurate and relevant.

Conclusion

Digitization of land records is a game-changer for governance, economic growth, and social justice. Assam’s Mission Basundhara 2.0 is a progressive step toward modernizing land administration by making land services efficient, transparent, and corruption-free.

However, overcoming bureaucratic resistance, ensuring data security, and strengthening legal frameworks are crucial for successful nationwide implementation of digital land reforms. A robust technological, legal, and institutional framework will make India’s land governance system more efficient and citizen-friendly.

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