ULPIN scheme: Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)

Context:

 ‘Bhumi Samvaad’ – a National Workshop on Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) was held recently at India Habitat Centre here in the national capital.

• Talking about the importance of Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN), Shri Singh said it is just like the Aadhar Number of land parcels.
• He said that in this unique system wherein a unique ID based on Geo-coordinates of the parcels is generated and assigned to the plots.

Key Features of the ULPIN Scheme:

• Firstly, under the scheme, authorities issue a 14-digit identification number to every plot of land in the country.
  • Secondly, also called the “the Aadhaar for land”, it is a unique number to identify every surveyed parcel of land. It will prevent land fraud, especially in rural India where proper land records are not available.
  • Thirdly, the longitude and latitude of a land parcel will be the basis for its identification. It will depend on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.
  • Fourthly, the land records database will gradually integrate with the records of revenue courts and bank on a voluntary basis.

“Aadhaar number” for Land

• Officials described it as “the Aadhaar for land”, a number that would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in the hinterlands of rural India, where land records are outdated and often disputed.
• The identification will be based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of the land parcel and is dependent on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps, according to a presentation the Department made to States in September 2020.
• This is the next step in the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), which began in 2008 and has been extended several times as its scope grew.

ULPIN Scheme Benefits

The major benefit of having the ULPIN is that all land records and consequently transactions will be transparent. It will help keep land records up-to-date. It will also be easier to share land records across departments, financial institutions and all stakeholders. Through this, it will be possible to deliver land records services to citizens through a single window. The scheme will also protect government land, not to mention, make land acquisitions easier. According to the government, it is also a cost-effective approach. Linking Aadhaar with land records through ULPIN would cost ₹3 per record, while seeding and authentication of landowner Aadhaar data would cost ₹5 each. 

Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme

The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) is a central sector scheme that was initiated in 2008. It was formed as a result of the merger of two schemes that the Land Reforms (LR) Division under the Dept of Land Resources (Ministry of Rural Development) was running, namely, the Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) & Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR).

The State Governments/UT Administrations will execute the programme with technical and financial support from the Land Resources Department. The district will be the unit of implementation.

Aims of the DILRMP:

1. Usher in a system of updated land records
2. Automated and automatic mutation
3. Integration between textual and spatial records
4. Inter-connectivity between revenue and registration
5. Replace the present deeds registration and presumptive title system with that of conclusive titling with title guarantee

DILRMP Components:

1. Computerization of land records
2. Survey/re-survey
3. Computerization of Registration

DILRMP Benefits:

• Citizens will get real-time land ownership records.
• Since the records will be placed on the websites with proper security IDs, property owners will have free access to their records without any compromise in the confidentiality of the information.
• Free access to the records will reduce rent-seeking and harassment because of the reduced interface between citizens and government functionaries.
• Abolition of stamp papers and payment of stamp duty and registration fees through banks, etc. will also reduce interface with the registration machinery.
• The time taken for obtaining RoR (record of right), etc. will be reduced because of IT inter-linkages.
• Automatic and automated mutations will significantly reduce the scope of fraudulent property deals.
• Conclusive titling will also significantly reduce litigation.
• Citizens will have better access to credit facilities and information such as market value.

Source: DILRMP

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