(a) whether the Government is aware of the inaccuracies in the property records due to the existing deeds system in the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government has any proposal to have a titling system, by replacing existing Deeds System;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the time by which the above system is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SISIR KUMAR ADHIKARI)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) to (d): Presently, the system of presumptive titles is in operation in the country.
The Registration Act, 1908 provides for registration of deeds and documents, not titles.
The transaction is recorded, and the transfer of ownership title remains presumptive only.
However, on 21-08-2008, the Union Cabinet approved a Centrally-sponsored scheme, viz., the
National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) with the ultimate goal of ushering
in the system of conclusive titles with title guarantee in the country.
The activities being supported under the Programme, inter alia, include completion of
computerization of the records of rights (RoRs), digitization of maps, survey/resurvey using
modern technology including aerial photogrammetry/High Resolution Satellite Imagery (HRSI),
computerization of registration, connectivity amongst the land records and registration
offices, modern record rooms/land records management centres at tehsil/taluk/circle/block
level and training & capacity building of the concerned officials and functionaries.
The activities under the programme are to converge in the district and district is the
unit of implementation. All the districts in the country are expected to be covered by the
end of the 12th Plan.
During 2008-09 to 2010-11 (10-08-2010), funds to the tune of Rs.422.20 crore have been
released to the States/UTs towards Central share under the NLRMP and 148 districts in 26 States/
UTs have been covered.
In addition, to introduce system of conclusive titles in place of existing deed
registration system, a draft model Land Titling Bill, 2010, has been drafted by the
Department of Land Resources (DoLR). Since land is a State subject under the
Constitution, this Bill has been circulated amongst the States, UTs and the concerned
GoI Ministries/Departments for their comments and suggestions. The Bill has been placed
in the public domain on DoLR’s website (dolr.nic.in) for wider stakeholder input and public
comments. Accordingly, finalization of the Bill is likely to take time.
It may not be possible to indicate any timeline for implementation of the system of
conclusive titles in the country.