The Congress government in Telangana has introduced a new land records system, Bhu Bharathi, replacing the BRS’s Dharani portal. This move is a response to widespread criticism of Dharani and aims to create a more transparent and efficient land records management system. But is Bhu Bharathi really different from Dharani? Let’s dive into the details.
The Dharani Portal: What Went Wrong?
The Dharani portal, launched by the BRS government, was designed to simplify land records management by providing an integrated, centralized platform for land transactions. While its intentions were ambitious, the execution faced several hurdles:
- Lack of Transparency: Many users complained about the lack of clarity in land ownership records.
- Complex Processes: Farmers and landowners reported difficulties in navigating the portal for land registrations and other services.
- Disputed Ownerships: The removal of the “occupant” column from land records caused confusion and led to disputes.
These issues culminated in dissatisfaction among landowners, prompting the Congress government to seek a fresh start with Bhu Bharathi.
What is Bhu Bharathi?
Fulfilling a key election promise, the Congress government has introduced Bhu Bharathi, a revamped land records system aimed at addressing the flaws of Dharani. The Telangana Bhu Bharathi (Record of Rights in Land) Bill, 2024, outlines the framework for this new system, which focuses on improving accessibility, transparency, and dispute resolution.
Key Features of Bhu Bharathi
- Restoration of the ‘Occupant’ Column:
Unlike Dharani, Bhu Bharathi reinstates the crucial “occupant” column in land records. This change aims to clarify land ownership and prevent disputes. - Tribunals for Dispute Resolution:
Bhu Bharathi introduces tribunals and appellate authorities for fair and swift resolution of land-related grievances. - Empowerment of Local Officials:
The system decentralizes administration by empowering village-level revenue officers to handle land-related matters directly. - Manual Records for Reliability:
While it retains digital records, Bhu Bharathi also mandates maintaining manual records, ensuring data redundancy and easy access during technical issues.
How Does Bhu Bharathi Compare to Dharani?
Both systems aim to streamline land administration, but Bhu Bharathi introduces significant reforms to address Dharani’s limitations:
- Transparency:
Reinstating the “occupant” column and adding tribunals ensures greater clarity and fairness in land ownership. - Accessibility:
Decentralization empowers local officials, making services more accessible to rural landowners. - Dispute Resolution:
Dharani lacked structured mechanisms for resolving conflicts. Bhu Bharathi fills this gap with tribunals and appellate authorities.
While Dharani relied heavily on automation, Bhu Bharathi balances digital and manual processes to ensure reliability and user-friendliness.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Although Bhu Bharathi shows promise, its success depends on effective implementation. Key challenges include:
- Training local officials to handle responsibilities efficiently.
- Ensuring manual and digital records are seamlessly integrated.
- Avoiding bureaucratic delays in resolving disputes.
If implemented well, Bhu Bharathi could become a model for transparent and efficient land administration, benefiting farmers and landowners across Telangana.
The Congress government’s Bhu Bharathi system aims to rectify the shortcomings of the BRS’s Dharani portal, focusing on transparency, decentralization, and dispute resolution. While it offers a fresh start for Telangana’s land administration, its real test lies in execution. For farmers and landowners, Bhu Bharathi represents hope for a smoother, fairer process in managing their land records. #Hydkhabar
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