Private draftsmen’s land demarcation in Kashmir: Technology and oversight must go hand-in-hand

By: R. Ahmed (Senior Official, Revenue Department, Govt of J&K)

In response to the Ziraat Times report “Private Draftsmen with Revenue Dept: Civil society voices ask for role definition, regulation” dated 21st July, 2025. 

Dear editor

Land demarcation is arguably the most technical and sensitive component of Jammu & Kashmir’s land management system, especially in urban and semi-urban pockets where residential clusters have evolved rapidly and the natural topography has been significantly altered over time. These changes often result in visible mismatches between the physical location of a land parcel and its depiction on the original revenue maps (Latha).

In such situations, Revenue Department officials are increasingly relying on technological interventions — most notably Electronic Total Station (ETS) machines — for accurate land measurement and demarcation. These machines generate high-precision spot maps, which are then superimposed onto digitized revenue maps, allowing for a more accurate delineation of land boundaries in accordance with official land records.

While it is a fact that these ETS machines are often operated by private draftsmen, it is equally important to note that when employed responsibly and with proper verification, their involvement has the potential to resolve long-standing land disputes, many of which have remained entangled in litigation for decades. This is particularly true for high-density areas such as Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, and other expanding towns.

That said, concerns raised by civil society, as reflected in your report, are valid and deserve immediate attention. The Revenue Department recognises the need to regulate this sector by:

• Registering all private ETS operators and draftsmen formally,

• Prescribing eligibility criteria and standard operating procedures,

• Holding them accountable for misconduct or biased practices, and

• Debarring those found indulging in malpractice, coercion or revenue record manipulation.

We believe that such regulated public-private collaboration, guided by strict oversight, can transform our revenue administration and help rebuild public trust. Technology must empower, not exploit. The onus is on us to ensure that happens.