President Droupadi Murmu honours West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan DC’s with ‘Bhoomi Samman’ award for land records modernization

Jamshedpur, July 18: In a prestigious ceremony organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the “Bhoomi Samman” 2023 awards to State Secretaries, District Collectors, and their commendable teams, recognizing their exceptional accomplishments in achieving saturation of the core components of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).

The Bhoomi Samman-2023 Platinum Certificate, the highest honour in land management, was bestowed upon Deputy Commissioner Arava Rajkamal from Seraikela-Kharsawan District, acknowledging his outstanding performance. Additionally, the team led by DC Ananya Mittal in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand received the coveted Bhoomi Samman-2023 Platinum Certificate, reflecting their exceptional contributions.

During the ceremony, President Murmu emphasized the pivotal role of rural development in the overall progress of the nation. Recognizing that the livelihood of a significant portion of the rural population is reliant on land resources, she underscored the significance of modernizing land records as a fundamental requirement for rural development. Implementing a comprehensive integrated land management system becomes imperative to foster holistic progress in rural areas.

Addressing the audience, President Murmu highlighted the transformative potential of digitization, particularly in enhancing transparency. She expressed confidence that the modernization and digitization of land records would significantly impact the nation’s development. By establishing linkages between land records and various government departments, welfare schemes could be effectively implemented, ensuring maximum benefit for the citizens. Additionally, in times of natural calamities such as floods and fires, the digitized records would provide invaluable support in case of document loss.

Appreciating the efforts under the Digital India Land Information Management System, President Murmu commended the provision of a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number, comparable to the Aadhaar Card. This unique identifier is expected to facilitate efficient land utilization and aid in the formulation and implementation of new welfare initiatives. The President highlighted the advantages of linking E-Courts with land records and registration databases, as it would bolster transparency and curb unethical and illegal land-related activities.

Moreover, the President emphasized that easy access to land-related information would yield numerous benefits, particularly in resolving disputes related to land ownership and usage. The burden on the administration and the judiciary, which often grapples with land-related disputes, could be significantly reduced through digitization and streamlined information sharing. By redirecting energy and resources towards development initiatives, the nation stands to witness accelerated progress.

In conclusion, the “Bhoomi Samman” awards celebrated the dedication and exemplary achievements of the recipients in advancing the cause of land records modernization. The event showcased the government’s commitment to fostering transparency, efficiency, and equitable growth in rural areas, ensuring a brighter future for all citizens.