Smart and People-Centric
K. Rajan
Minister for Revenue and Housing
‘Land for everyone, records for all lands and all services smart’ – The vision of the Revenue Department is loud and clear. The government is close to fulfilling its commitment to eradicate extreme poverty, building a state without landless and ensuring secure housing for the homeless. The Kerala government aims to eradicate extreme poverty in the State by November 1, 2025. Efforts are on to provide land to all landless families living in poverty. Over the past three years, a significant milestone has been reached, with 1,80,887 families receiving land titles, a historic achievement in the pursuit of social equity.
Entrusting Ownership and Confidence
With an ambitious goal of distributing three lakh land titles, the government launched several initiatives, including Pattaya (land deed) Mission, Pattaya Assembly, Pattaya Dashboard and even held public hearings. Significant progress has been made in various regions, where long-awaited dreams of land ownership have been realised. People with long held dreams of land ownership in Sathram land in Manjeri, Morazha in Kannur, Kodaykkal Tiles Factory in Malappuram, Telungaru Nagar in Thrissur and Olakara Tribal settlement in Thrissur finally received their land titles after decades of waiting. For many, this long-awaited goal became a reality only after the present government assumed office. A total of 3,57,898 title deeds have been distributed over the past nine years, which includes the 1,77,011 titles given during the previous government’s tenure. With the distribution of 1,42,102 more title deeds, the two governments would have made about five lakh families owners of lands, which is a significant step toward social and economic empowerment.
Title Distribution in Hilly Areas
The Revenue Department is spearheading a crucial mission of granting title deeds to people in the hilly areas. Through this initiative, the government is resolving a three decade-long demand for a fresh joint survey and new applications. A breakthrough decision was made on February 7, 2024, in the discussions wherein Union Minister of Forests and Kerala’s Ministers of Revenue and Forests were present. Following this agreement, the government has moved swiftly to expedite the process, bringing long-awaited relief to land seekers in the hilly tracts. Steps have been taken to grant title deeds to eligible individuals residing on land under various government departments. A crucial decision on the transfer of certain lands was taken during a meeting led by Chief Minister, along with the Minister For Local Self-Government and Minister For Revenue. As per Section 279 of the Panchayati Raj Act, district collectors have been authorised to transfer cremation grounds, grazing lands and playgrounds now managed by local self-government institutions to the Revenue Department. Similar initiatives are also being taken by the Forest and Irrigation Departments. These measures mark a significant step toward ensuring land ownership for eligible beneficiaries
Pattaya Mission
With the goal of ensuring land ownership for every landless person in the state, the Kerala government launched the ‘Pattaya Mission’ (Land Title Mission). This initiative, which has the involvement of officials from the village level to the state secretariat, alongside elected representatives from panchayats to the legislative assembly, has led to a structured approach to streamline land title distribution. Under the leadership of MLAs, Pattaya (Title Deeds) Assemblies were conducted at the constituency level, involving all public representatives. These assemblies identify land related issues and resolve them through the Mission. To further accelerate the process, Revenue Minister is holding online land title adalats at the district level.
Smart Villages
Kerala is making significant strides in rural development, with 540 villages already transformed into Smart Villages. Moreover, the government has granted administrative sanction to upgrade 830 more villages under the initiative. Construction work is in progress in 91 villages, while steps have been initiated in 199 places.
Digital Resurvey: A National Model
Though Kerala’s journey in land resurvey began in 1966, only 911 villages could be fully resurveyed in the past 57 years. Now, as part of the government’s mission to digitise all land records, 89 villages have undergone digital surveys, while resurvey activities are in progress in 27 villages. To complete the digital resurvey of the remaining 1,550 villages, a project has been included in the Rebuild Kerala Initiative. A comprehensive plan of Rs 858.42 crore has been prepared to accelerate this transformative effort. The Government is for completing the digital resurvey by 2026, utilising advanced technologies such as CORS, RTK, Rover, IDS, Drones, and LiDAR. Resurvey efforts are underway in 200 villages as part of the first phase. In the second phase 239 villages are being mapped in the second phase. The third phase, covering 200 villages, has begun. Moreover, an Integrated Land Information and Management System (ILIMS) has been established in villages where digital resurvey is complete. This system integrates three key software platforms such as E-Map (Survey Department), RELIS (Revenue Department) and PEARL (Registration Department). Recognising Kerala’s pioneering efforts in digital resurvey, several states and union territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Odisha and Lakshadweep, have approached the state’s Revenue Department to study the model.
Property Card
The government has taken steps to provide Property Cards to all land owners. The government has allotted Rs two crore for the project. The distribution of Property Cards is set to begin in November 2025 in villages where digital resurvey has been completed
‘NAKSHA’ Project
The Revenue Department, in partnership with the Survey of India, has launched the National District Spatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitation project (NAKSHA) to modernise urban land surveys. Ten cities in the state have been included under this initiative. The project was started in Neyyattinkara Municipality. Digital resurvey work in Vaikom, Punalur and Kasaragod municipalities have been completed and the Revenue Department is now preparing to issue the 9(2) notification, marking the final stage of the resurvey process in these areas.
Unique Thandaper System: One Citizen, One Land Record
The government has introduced the Unique Thandaper System, aimed at assigning a single Thandaper (land record number) to each citizen in the state. Considered to be a great revolution after the land reforms, the initiative is set to revolutionise Kerala’s land management system, ensuring greater transparency, accuracy and efficiency in land ownership records
‘Ente Bhoomi’: Digital Transformation of Land Services
Kerala has taken a major step towards land management system with the integration of the departments of Revenue, Survey and Registration under the ‘Ente Bhoomi’ Integrated Portal. This initiative is part of the government’s vision to make all land-related services smart and accessible through digital technology. As part of digital revolution, all payments to the Revenue Department are now processed online. As of now, 23 types of land-related certificates are available digitally, with over 10 crore certificates already issued. Another major step is that landowners residing abroad, including in the UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain can now apply for and receive land-related documents online. The government will soon launch a mobile application to bring all revenue services to the fingertips of every person.
Land for Development
Since assuming office, the government has acquired 7,282.98 acres of land for various development projects. A total of Rs 31,264.71 crore has been disbursed as compensation for these acquisitions. For National Highway projects alone, the government acquired 3,503 acres, for which an amount of Rs 25,120.81 crore was given away as compensation. To expedite and streamline land acquisition process, a fully digital system called LAMS (Land Acquisition Management System) was developed. This initiative marks a significant leap toward modernised and hassle-free land acquisition in Kerala.
Towards a Corruption-Free Revenue Department
With a commitment to transparency and integrity, the Revenue Department launched the ‘Zero Corruption Campaign’. Citizens can report any instances of corruption through the toll-free helpline: 1800-425-5255. Since this government took office, strict action has been taken against 71 officials within the department. While three employees were dismissed from service, pensions of three persons were completely denied. For one person, pension has been reduced to 50 per cent of his actual pension. One employee was demoted as part of disciplinary action. The government has made it strict that internal reports must be submitted on time and any delay would lead to severe consequences.
Key Amendments
The government has introduced major legislative amendments to improve land management and revenue processes in Kerala.
• The Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act was amended, granting Deputy Collectors the power to process application for land conversion.
• Amendment to The Land Assignment Act now allows regularisation of assigned lands used for purposes other than originally intended.
• As per the amendment to the Sree Pandaravaka Lands (Vesting and Enfranchisement) Act, the annuity given to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple was increased.
• The Kerala Building Tax Act was revised with seven amendments to modernise taxation policies.
• As per the Kerala Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand (Amendment) Act, 2022, Sections 20 and 23 was modified to strengthen environmental safeguards.
• The Kerala Revenue Recovery (Amendment) Act now includes public-friendly provisions to ensure fair and efficient land recovery procedures.