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Cadastral surveys in India: A critique
- Second, Utilize Internet Technology for Transfer and Utilization of Data Base to District/Tehsils
Security of Data
Here security of data will have a major consideration. Modern security methods practised in IT should be adopted. Know - How is available in many IT firms, NIC and other Govt. Depts.
Updating of Information
The process of collection of changes can be initiated at Patwari/Karnam level. The data should be checked and collated at Tehsil HQ and then sent to Land Record office for final incorporation after digitizing. Director Land Records should take final responsibility of correctness - may be after
sample check. Mutations should always be carried out by the person maintaining the records. Mutations can be incorporated in digitized revenue map with Tehsil/HQ
Record Book to the Farmer at Tehsil Level
The Patta Book/ Ownership book can be prepared at Tehsil level with the usual checks and passed on to the, farmer. The Patta Book named 'Rin Pustika' in M.P. is a versatile document used by the different agencies like Banks, Seed Corporation and others.
- Third - Incorporate Other Desirable Information
Many suggestions have been made regarding Soil type of land Heights for irrigation channels
Land use Cropping pattern Live stock Population Ground water etc.
These information can be incorporated in separate layers (like GIS) eventually. But this should be done only after the basic Data Base has been prepared.
- Fourth - Village Abadi Maps / Photos
Panchayats and other planning agencies will need village Abadi/built up area maps for development activities like drains, road work. A photo-map of the village at 1:5000 scale will be adequate for the tasks.
The above mentioned four steps to generate the Data Bases could form an adequate input for any scheme like CLR or for any type of querry on land-referms. The Data Base can be further modified to suit local
requirements.
Town Maps - Innovative use of Photogrammetry
The most worrisome problem experienced by the State surveyors in town surveys is to provide traverse control-net by the traditional traverse method. This problem can be elegantly solved by utilizing the technology of the Photogrammetry. Photogrammetry needs sparse ground control and that too at convenient locations. With the help of the limited field control, the model can be set in the photogrammetric machine. The plotting of all the clearly visible terrain details can be done easily. Imagine that about 50% of the property corners or well recognized details are plotted/mapped. These details can then be utilized as control work/starting point for picking up property on
the ground by the field surveyors. This is rather reverse - use of the photogrammetry but it will reduce the time taken for the completion of town surveys by more than 50%. The plotted points can be designed to be within the accuracy of 7 to 10 cms. on the scale of 1:2000.
Urban Cadastral System - Change in Registration Law
The Value of the land being more in urban areas, the accuracy of the urban surveys should be such that difference in the measurement of the area or length of sides/perimeter of urban property should not be different when measured on ground or on the map. If the difference is noticeable, there
can be serious litigation on the issue of the area of the property. The area etc. can be measured accurately if modern methods e.g. orthophoto or photogrammetry is harnessed for surveys. The ownership, however, still eludes the genuine transaction. The solution, perhaps, lies in improving the Registration Act.
- Registration Act, 1864
Registers the document and not the contents. To quote Sadar Adalat Court 1832 interpreted:
"It is sufficiently obvious that registry by Collector cannot confer title, and converse proposition, namely want of registration cannot take away title to the landed property." Courts have held: "Patta does not create any interests to the land, howsoever valuable it may be as an evidence of possession, and is only a memorandum showing the extent of land belonging to Pattadar and assessment."
It is interesting to read the comments of Mr. Hanson, HA in Land Title System, 1961 for New Brunswick, Canada."the existing system is in its nature and use cumbersome, expensive, time consuming delaying, deceptive, defective, inadequate, incomplete inept, imperfect, uncertain, unprofitable, undesirable, unsuitable and downright stupid. It requires drastic treatment to bring it into conformity with
modern need"Readers can make their own conclusions on Indian Registration Act, 1864 (!)
Conclusion
This paper tries to give 'description' of the major problems in Cadastral Surveys including Urban Cadastre. Certain other issues like Registration Act have also been described.
On the 'prescription' side, the appropriate and selected use of digital orthophotomapping, photogrammetry, Global Positioning System, use of Internet Technology etc. have been recommended to provide optimum advantage to the Indian Cadastral System. The clear message isData Base to day, other improvements tomorrow.
More importantly the problems inherent in Cadastral Surveys have been visualized as problem of change - management rather than simply as problems of technology. A brief list of technological solutions has also been furnished.
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