Information age government: Success stories of online land records & revenue governance from India : executive summary

Abstract

The manual systems of maintaining land records in India are as diverse as the country itself. The traditional methods have been changing over the years in each state according to local practices and traditions. The procedure for recording transfer and ownership of lands, shares and inheritance is generally based on a particular Identity number for each plot of land. Revenue assessment and agricultural yield related data are also recorded against that specific identification number. Village revenue officers are entrusted with the maintenance of these records and updating these records every harvesting season and on transfer of ownership. However, such records are not updated for years and when the book that records the transactions is the only document with legal standing; the matter becomes worse for the persons involved in the ownership of the land.