ITANAGAR, OCT 3 : Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil said the Survey of India will launch distribution of property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme in Arunachal Pradesh by March next year.

“Although it’s a bit late due to delay in MoU signing from the State Government’s end, the Survey of India, after completing mapping of rural inhabited areas using drone technology, will start distribution of property cards to rural households under the SVAMITVA scheme within next five-six months,” the MoS told reporters at the Civil Secretariat here on Tuesday.

SVAMITVA (Survey of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas), a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is a reformative step by Prime Minister towards establishment of clear ownership of property in rural inhabited (abadi) areas, by mapping of land parcels using drones and providing ‘record of rights’ to village households with issuance of legal ownership cards (property cards/title deeds) to the property owners.

Property cards will enable the owners to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.

The Union Minister, who had a review meeting with the State Government officers from the Departments of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) and Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), expressed satisfaction over the functioning of all four departments, saying “they are all doing well”.

Patil informed that against the target of 36,000 houses, around 22,000 houses have been built in Arunachal Pradesh under the PM Awas Yojana, and for the remaining 14,000 houses, the State Government requested for sanction of funds. Once the Centre releases the funds, the remaining houses will be completed.

While disclosing that around Rs 350 crore funds have been given to Arunachal under 15th Finance Commission, the MoS said, as per provisions of Ministry of Finance, to ensure greater transparency and accountability in Panchayat audits, AuditOnline has to be done through an empanelled CA but the State Government has requested for starting the same through its own auditors, and the process is getting underway.

He said that the United Nations has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister said the Government of India has converted these 17 SDGs to 9 goals.

The Minister appealed to all the Panchayat members and the elected representatives to work together to achieve these goals.

Patil said these Sustainable Development Goals have the provisions to create all the facilities and conveniences of a city in the villages.(UNI)