Upcoming Land Registration Bill: What does it mean for land owners in J&K?

By: Atif Shah and Samreen Khan – Ziraat Times

Srinagar: The central government’s proposed Land Registration Bill, likely to be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session, aims to overhaul India’s archaic land record system by introducing digitization, standardization, and centralization.

While the move promises to simplify property transactions and reduce disputes, it also raises concerns about privacy, implementation challenges, especially in places like Jammu & Kashmir.

What is the bill all about?

All land records will be digitized and linked to a centralized database, replacing the current patchwork of state-level systems.

For J&K, the AAPKI ZAMEEN, AAPKI NIGRANI portal may no more exist and its data may be shifted to the central portal.

Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPINs) will be assigned to every property which would facilitate ID-based tracking of land.

Aadhaar-linked property transactions: Property sales, mortgages, and leases will require Aadhaar authentication to curb benami (proxy) transactions. Biometric verification may be mandated for high-value deals.

Real-time updating of records: Any change in ownership, inheritance, or land use will be updated instantly in the digital registry. Courts and banks will have direct access to verified records, reducing fraud.

Integration with other Government schemes: Land records will be linked to PM-KISAN, housing schemes, and disaster relief programs to ensure only genuine owners benefit.

Online dispute resolution: A new fast-track mechanism will resolve land conflicts via online hearings, reducing court backlogs.

What would it mean for  landowners in J&K:

While experts maintain that  tamper-proof records could reduce fraudulent claims and litigation, buying/selling property may take days instead of months.

Experts also anticipate that banks can quickly verify ownership, easing loan approvals, while small farmers can prove ownership easily, making access to insurance claims and government schemes easier.

“Digitized records may minimize fraudulent claims and lengthy court battles over land. Farmers and landowners in remote areas could verify records online without bureaucratic delays”, says Syed Farooq, a former Revenue Department official.

However, critics warn of concerns too, mainly related to privacy, cybersecurity threats and implementation hurdles.

“Centralized data could be misused, given J&K’s unique  land ownership dynamics”, opines an IT expert. “The fear of hacking or leaks is real, while poor internet connectivity in rural areas and low digital literacy may exclude many”, he added.

“Without robust safeguards, this could lead to land grabs or targeting of communities,” warned Advocate Arifa Begum, who specialises in land disputes at a civil court.

The central government has assured consultations with all key stakeholders, but some degree of skepticism remains.