Jharkhand Moves to Digitise Records, Launch Panchayat-Level Licensing Hubs to Ease Rural Access

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday directed officials to undertake extensive digitisation of land records and make comprehensive land information available to citizens on a single platform before any property transaction, as part of efforts to improve transparency and reduce disputes. Chairing a review meeting of the transport department and the revenue, registration and land reforms department, Soren reviewed departmental functioning, progress of schemes and pending cases.

The chief minister said digitised land records should enable citizens to access updated information on ownership, acquisition status and government claims over land through an integrated portal. He said the initiative would help minimise uncertainty and disputes relating to land transactions. Soren also directed officials to simplify and streamline procedures relating to lease renewal, lease transfer and change of land use, particularly in Khasmahal areas. He ordered a comprehensive survey and mapping of all leaseholders and re-verification of lease-related documents to identify discrepancies, fraud or archival errors and create an updated database.

Reviewing the transport sector, the chief minister instructed authorities to organise driving licence camps at the panchayat level to improve access to services in rural areas. He also called for district-wise mapping, route charts and strengthening of road connectivity under the Mukhyamantri Gram Gadi Yojana (MMGGY).

Soren reviewed the traffic park being developed under the Ranchi Smart City project and said it would help educate children and young people about traffic rules and road safety. The chief minister also reviewed progress of the Institute of Driver Training and Research (IDTR) being established in Jamshedpur and directed officials to make the facility operational within the stipulated timeframe.