Using Blockchain Technology To Modernize Land Record Management In India
- IJLLR Journal
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Parth Rohilla, LL.B. (Hons.), Jindal Global Law School
I – INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM STATEMENT
The existing land record system in India is infected by deep-rooted structural inefficiencies which significantly complicates legal clarity, economic development and administrative efficiency. The existing poorly structured land record system is a matter of high significance. It is estimated that 7.7 million people are affected by conflict over 2.5 million hectares of land, which threaten investments worth $ 200 billion. Land disputes is one of the sectors that clog up the judicial system on all levels, causing high pendency and excessive burden on the courts. About 25% of all cases decided by the supreme court involve land disputes, out of which 30% concern disputes related of land acquisition. Data shows that 66% of all civil cases in India are related to land/property disputes.
The problem is time sensitive, as justice delayed is justice denied. The average pendency of a land acquisition dispute, from creation of the dispute to resolution by the Supreme Court, is 20 years. It is a matter of concern as such long time periods clog the entire legal system leading to further pendency.
Another issue with current land record system is that administration of records today is not free from bribery and corruption. A ground level analysis by Justly shows that 75% of all kinds of forms of corruption in land administration is for acquiring of services including land recording and registration. (graph-1) This creates a lack of trust in the Indian society. Land records can be changed by a corrupt officer in favor of the bribe giver. This further leads to more disputes in court and even causes significant emotional and mental distress to the genuine holders of the property.
