The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): In an ambitious move to modernize agricultural land records and streamline the delivery of government benefits, the Karnataka government has embarked on a project to link Aadhaar numbers with Records of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC). Krishna Byre Gowda, the Minister for Revenue, announced this initiative as a strategic measure to address issues of land ownership and ensure that government schemes accurately reach intended beneficiaries.
This linkage process is poised to significantly reduce land-related frauds by verifying the identities of landowners, thus providing a clearer picture of land ownership. A pilot project involving 19 lakh farmers revealed that six lakh RTCs remained registered under the names of deceased individuals, highlighting the urgency for updating these records to reflect current ownership.
Families have often delayed transferring land records due to internal disputes or the cumbersome nature of the process. To combat this, the government’s “Nanna Bhoomi, Nanna Guruthu” (My Land, My Identity) campaign aims to simplify the process of updating land records by ensuring all RTCs are linked with the Aadhaar numbers of the rightful owners. This initiative involves department officials either visiting farmers’ homes or facilitating the process at village accountant offices, ensuring a comprehensive and accessible approach for all landowners.
The effort mirrors similar projects underway in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, positioning Karnataka at the forefront of leveraging digital identification to enhance agricultural governance and support.
Furthermore, the Revenue Department plans to introduce ‘Kandaya Adalat’, a voluntary platform encouraging the descendants of deceased landowners to update land records. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to resolving longstanding issues surrounding land ownership, thereby facilitating smoother access to government benefits and services.
With 1.87 crore RTCs recorded in the state, and multiple names listed on 3.86 crore RTCs, this initiative is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in land management and the equitable distribution of agricultural benefits across Karnataka.
