New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, via video conferencing, will preside over the e-distribution of SVAMITVA property cards on 27 December 2024 (Friday) at 12:30 PM, marking a significant milestone in India’s rural empowerment and governance journey. The event will witness the distribution of 58 lakh SVAMITVA property cards across approximately 50,000 villages in 10 states, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and 2 Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This milestone also signifies the preparation and distribution of over 2 crore property cards under the SVAMITVA scheme, with more than 58 lakh being distributed on a single day.
 

During the event, the Prime Minister will interact with selected beneficiaries and deliver a nationwide address in the presence of Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj S. P. Singh Baghel, and Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj. Several Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, senior officials, panchayat representatives, and stakeholders will join the ceremony virtually. Around 13 Union Ministers will oversee regional distribution ceremonies from designated locations across the country.
 

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with states and union territories, will also organise orientation programmes at around 20,000 locations on 27 December to maximise outreach and awareness of the SVAMITVA scheme and other flagship initiatives.
 

Launched on 24 April 2020 (National Panchayati Raj Day), the SVAMITVA scheme aims to provide “Record of Rights” to property owners in rural Abadi areas using drone and GIS technology. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister distributed the first set of property cards virtually on 11 October 2020.
 

Survey work has been completed in 3.17 lakh villages, with over 2.19 crore property cards prepared across 1.49 lakh villages. Digitally validated property records have strengthened local governance and enhanced Gram Panchayat Development Plans, while property cards have facilitated access to institutional credit, empowered women through legal property ownership, and significantly reduced property disputes.
 

The SVAMITVA scheme, demonstrating a Whole-of-Government approach, fosters inter-departmental collaboration, contributing to financial inclusion, rural stability, and sustainable development in India’s villages.


BI Bureau