Bihar's Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan: A Comprehensive Drive for Land Record Modernization
The Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan, a monumental campaign launched by the Government of Bihar's Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, is a direct response to a long-standing challenge: the inaccuracies and complexities plaguing the state's land records. This special drive, operational from August 16 to September 20, 2025, is more than a mere administrative exercise; it represents a fundamental shift towards a transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric system of land governance. The core objective is to ensure that every landowner in Bihar has an accurate and updated land record, thereby securing their property rights, resolving disputes, and paving the way for a more streamlined administrative future.
For decades, land records in Bihar were a source of frustration and legal entanglement for countless citizens. Errors in names, inaccurate land area measurements, incorrect khata (account) and khasra (plot) numbers, and unresolved succession issues were common. These discrepancies not only hindered property transactions but also became fertile ground for litigation and corruption. The digitization efforts, while a significant step, were not a complete solution, as many physical records were digitized with existing errors. The Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan is designed to be the final, corrective layer of this modernization process, a large-scale rectification drive that brings the administration to the doorstep of the citizens.
The campaign's strategy is built on a foundation of accessibility and direct engagement. Instead of requiring citizens to navigate the often-intimidating corridors of government offices, the administration is bringing its services directly to the villages and panchayats. Specially deputed teams, comprising revenue officials, clerks, and survey Amins, are fanning out across the state, equipped with the necessary technology and forms to process applications on the spot. This decentralized approach is critical to reaching the large rural population, many of whom may lack the resources or knowledge to travel to district headquarters and engage with bureaucratic processes.
A central component of the Abhiyan is the Parimargan, or correction of errors. This is a critical service addressing a wide range of common inaccuracies. For instance, a citizen whose digital land record (Jamabandi) contains a misspelling of their name or their father's name can get it rectified. Similarly, if the digitized record shows an incorrect khata number, khasra number, or area (rakba) compared to their original physical documents, the revenue team will cross-verify the details and make the necessary corrections online. This process is crucial for ensuring that the digital records, which are now legally recognized, accurately reflect the reality on the ground.
Another pivotal aspect is succession mutation. In countless families, land ownership remains in the name of a deceased patriarch or matriarch, leading to disputes among legal heirs. The Abhiyan provides a systematic way to address this. Heirs can submit a death certificate of the original landowner, along with a verified lineage chart (vanshavali) and other relevant documents, to formally have their names entered into the land records. This not only regularizes the ownership but also prevents future disputes and simplifies the process of property division. The campaign’s focus on this is a proactive measure to secure the land rights of future generations.
Furthermore, the campaign addresses the issue of partition mutation. For joint families where land is held by multiple co-sharers, the Abhiyan offers a mechanism to partition the property based on mutual consent or previously executed deeds. This allows for the creation of separate Jamabandi accounts for each co-sharer, clearly defining individual ownership and responsibility. This is a significant step towards a more organized and dispute-free land management system. By facilitating these partitions, the government is helping to resolve intra-family disputes that have been a major cause of rural litigation for decades.
The operational mechanism of the Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan is a marvel of administrative logistics. The campaign has been meticulously planned with clear timelines and responsibilities. From August 16 to September 15, 2025, the teams are conducting door-to-door visits, distributing application forms and providing information. This proactive outreach is aimed at informing every landowner about the campaign and encouraging them to participate. Following this, from August 19 to September 20, 2025, special camps are being organized at Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans and other government buildings. These camps serve as one-stop centers where citizens can submit their applications, get on-the-spot guidance, and receive a confirmation of their submission. The use of technology is central to this process. Applications are registered online on the Bihar Bhumi portal, and applicants receive real-time updates on their mobile phones, ensuring transparency and accountability.
To ensure the success of this large-scale initiative, the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms has laid out clear instructions for citizens. They are advised to gather and prepare all necessary documents in advance. For Jamabandi correction, this includes the original land records, proof of ownership (such as a sale deed or title deed), and recent land tax receipts. For succession cases, a death certificate and a detailed lineage chart are mandatory. By requiring these documents, the government ensures that the corrections and updates are legally sound and verifiable. The process is designed to be streamlined, with a focus on quick verification and timely updates to the digital records.
Beyond the immediate objectives, the Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan has a broader, long-term vision. It is an integral part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), a nationwide initiative aimed at creating a unified, integrated, and transparent land management system. By cleaning up and updating its records, Bihar is aligning itself with this national vision, which will have several cascading benefits. Accurate land records are essential for effective governance, urban planning, infrastructure development, and the implementation of various welfare schemes. They also serve as a crucial basis for accessing credit and availing loans from financial institutions, as property titles can be used as collateral.
In essence, the Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan is more than a campaign; it is a promise. It is the Bihar government’s commitment to its citizens to secure their most valuable asset – their land. By bringing the administration to the people, by simplifying complex processes, and by leveraging technology, the campaign is setting a new benchmark for land record management in India. It is a testament to the fact that with political will and strategic planning, even the most complex and long-standing administrative challenges can be overcome, leading to a more secure and prosperous future for the state's citizens. The success of this initiative will be measured not just in the number of corrected records but in the peace of mind and sense of security it brings to millions of families across Bihar.
0 Comments