Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme today, benefiting property owners in more than 50,000 villages across 230 districts in 10 states and 2 union territories. The distribution was conducted through video conferencing, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts toward rural empowerment and development.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi described the event as a historic day for India’s rural economy. He stated, “The SVAMITVA Scheme was launched five years ago to provide legal ownership proof to people living in villages. In these five years, about 1.5 crore ownership cards have been issued. Today, an additional 65 lakh families have received property cards, bringing transformative changes to rural India.”
PM Modi criticized earlier administrations for failing to address the challenges of land and ownership rights in villages. “Previous governments took no concrete steps to resolve this issue. After our government came to power in 2014, we decided to tackle the problem head-on. Through the SVAMITVA Scheme, we have leveraged drone technology to map houses and land across India’s villages and provide residents with legal property documents,” he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative is improving village-level planning and governance. “Our government is fully committed to implementing Gram Swaraj on the ground. By granting property rights, we are empowering Gram Panchayats to resolve issues effectively and become financially self-reliant,” he added.
Highlighting the broader progress in rural development, PM Modi noted that nearly 98% of land records have been digitized in the last 7-8 years. He remarked, “Mahatma Gandhi believed that India lives in its villages. Over the last decade, we have worked sincerely to realize Bapu’s vision by addressing rural challenges and strengthening villages.”
The Prime Minister also announced key decisions aimed at supporting farmers and boosting rural development in 2025. He confirmed the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, a crop insurance scheme, and a decision to provide subsidies on DAP fertilizer to ensure greater benefits for farmers.
The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme, launched on April 24, 2020, has emerged as a game-changer for rural India. By digitizing property records and granting ownership rights, the initiative reduces land disputes, enables access to institutional credit, and facilitates better village planning, thereby significantly contributing to India’s rural transformation.