Computerizing records: Par panel pulls up Land Resources dept

The Department of Land Resources has failed to effectively implement ambitious programmes for computerizing land records initiated more than two decades ago despite spending over Rs 1,000 crore.
A Parliamentary panel has pulled up the department, an arm of the Rural Development Ministry, for the "slow pace of progress" it made even after the merger of two schemes-- 'Computerization of Land Records' (CLR) and 'Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records' four years ago.
The two schemes, initiated way back in 1980s, were merged into modified and improved National Land Records Modernization Programme (NRLMP) in 2008.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development, chaired by senior MP Sumitra Mahajan, said that it was "disappointed to note that even after the passage of more than four years of bringing in modified and enhanced scheme of NRLMP, still a lot needs to be done to achieve the objective of universal computerization of land records".

In its report, tabled in the Lok Sabha last week, the panel also expressed concern over the slow pace of progress of the programme.
The 31-member panel said that it is evident from the fact that so far only five states-- Andhra Pradesh, Gujrarat, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka-- have started issuing computerized copies of Records of Rights (RoRs) through citizen service centres/kiosks.
"... By merely reframing the programme would not serve much purpose unless government takes keen interest and implement it with full thrust to achieve its objectives," it said.
The committee urged the government to ensure 100 per cent computerization of land records by the end of 12th Five Year Plan "so that its in-built advantages are reaped by all citizens of the country".