NEW DELHI: In a landmark move to empower rural India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed more than 65 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme to households across 50,000 villages in over 230 districts spanning 10 states and 2 Union Territories.

Launched on April 24, 2020, the scheme aims to provide legal proof of property ownership to rural households, enhancing their economic prospects.

While addressing the event, PM Modi said, "In the 21st century, challenges like climate change, water scarcity, health crises, and pandemics demand innovative solutions.

However, one of the most significant global issues has been the lack of clear property rights. The United Nations had highlighted that ensuring property rights is essential to reducing poverty, and the SVAMITVA Scheme is a step in that direction."

Highlighting the impact of the scheme over the past five years, PM Modi stated that approximately 1.5 crore people have been provided property ownership documents, commonly known as 'Record of Rights'.

These documents have been customized under various names across states but uniformly serve as legal proof of ownership.

“Today marks a significant milestone as more than 65 lakh families receive these SVAMITVA cards.

This initiative is not just about property ownership but also about empowering rural citizens to monetize their assets, secure institutional credit, and resolve property disputes efficiently,” the Prime Minister added.

The scheme uses drone technology to survey and map inhabited areas in villages, ensuring transparency and accuracy.

It facilitates monetization of properties, enables access to bank loans, reduces property disputes, aids property tax assessment, and promotes village-level planning.

PM Modi emphasized, "This scheme reflects our vision for a self-reliant rural India. With clear property rights, we are paving the way for economic progress and better governance in villages."

As the SVAMITVA Scheme enters its final phase, it offers security and prosperity to millions.