Modernizing Jamabandies in J&K: Roadmap to match Haryana’s Revenue record standards

By Mohammad Amin Mir

Land is more than just a physical asset—it symbolizes identity, economic stability, social hierarchy, and legal rights. In a terrain as complex as Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where topographic diversity and political shifts have long influenced land administration, the push for transparent and modernized land records has become an urgent priority.

At the heart of this transformation lies the digitization of Jamabandies—the Record of Rights (RoR) that serves as the backbone of land ownership and governance. Despite various efforts under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), Jammu and Kashmir’s journey remains inconsistent and marred by legacy challenges.

In contrast, Haryana has emerged as a national benchmark in land record management, leveraging digital technology, administrative reforms, and public-friendly platforms. If J&K is to ensure legal clarity, reduce disputes, and attract investment, aligning its Jamabandi reforms with Haryana’s successful model is both strategic and necessary.

A Critical Document: The Role and Status of Jamabandi in J&K

The Jamabandi is a foundational land document recording ownership, cultivation status, land use, and rights. Typically updated every four years, it forms the basis for taxation, transactions, and legal claims.

In J&K, the system suffers from:

• Outdated manual records in many tehsils

• Digitization gaps and errors from OCR scans

• Poor integration with maps and mutations

• Minimal public access or certified services

• Weak grievance and correction mechanisms

The result is a fractured system, particularly in remote and hilly regions, where land disputes, encroachments, and procedural delays persist—fueling citizen distrust.

Haryana’s Model: Digitized Precision Meets Public Convenience

Haryana’s success lies in its Jamabandi.nic.in portal, a centralized system offering real-time access to land records, mutations, and maps. Features include:

• Real-time mutation post-sale/purchase via system integration with registrars

• GIS mapping of land parcels with satellite imagery

• Mobile apps for field officials to update crop and land-use data

• Online access to certified copies, e-stamping, and land passbooks

• Institutional accountability through audits and citizen feedback

This digitally cohesive model has set the gold standard. J&K can—and should—adopt and adapt this framework to its unique topography and social context.

Bridging the Gap: A Roadmap for Jammu & Kashmir

To elevate J&K’s Jamabandi system, a nine-point strategy has been proposed:

1. Structured Digitization of Legacy Records

• High-resolution scanning with human-assisted OCR correction

• Multi-level validation by revenue officials

• Geo-tagging of all Khasras using drones and satellite maps

2. Unified Digital Revenue Portal

• An integrated land record system combining Jamabandi, Girdawari, mutations, and court statuses

• Role-based access for citizens, banks, registrars, and officials

• APIs to link with Aadhaar, banks, and agriculture databases

3. Real-Time Mutation System

• E-mutation linked to Sub-Registrar sales

• Auto-escalation of delays beyond 15 days

• SMS and email alerts to landowners

4. GIS-Based Land Visualization

• Drone-based cadastral mapping

• Overlay of ownership, land use, and forest data

• Open access with privacy safeguards

5. Mobile Apps for Field Verification

• GPS-enabled Girdawari apps for crop data

• Geo-tagged photo uploads with digital signatures

• Offline mode for low-connectivity zones

6. Legal and Procedural Reforms

• Codification of land laws

• Mandated periodic updates of records

• Legal recognition of digital land documents

7. Institutional Capacity Building

• Special Revenue IT Cells in each district

• Training programs for Patwaris and Tehsildars

• Academic tie-ups for customized tech solutions

8. Citizen-Centric Services

• Common Service Centers in villages

• Digital Land Passbooks with QR codes

• Time-bound online grievance redressal

9. Monitoring and Financial Support

• Third-party audits and impact studies

• Dedicated budget lines and global funding (e.g., World Bank)

• Phased rollout with pilot districts and timeline-bound targets

Implementation Timeline

• Phase I (0–6 months):
  Baseline survey, staffing, and pilot portal testing

• Phase II (6–18 months):
  Statewide digitization, mobile app rollout, and staff training

• Phase III (18–36 months):
  GIS integration, blockchain pilots, and public grievance systems

A Step Toward Justice and Growth

Modern land governance is not just about technology—it’s about trust, fairness, and opportunity. For J&K, digitized Jamabandies will pave the way for legal clarity, smoother administration, and economic growth.

Borrowing best practices from Haryana while customizing them for the region’s landscape, Jammu and Kashmir can build a future where land becomes a source of empowerment, not conflict.

The writer is a land governance specialist and writes on administrative reforms and digital transformation in public services.