The ULPIN programme, which stands for Unique Land Parcel Identification Number Scheme, started in 2021. It is a component of the 2008-started Digital India Land Records Modernization Program (DILRMP). By the end of 2022, the Department of Land Resources of the Ministry of Rural Development aspires to have it operating in all states and UTs.

 

Need for the Scheme

The government wanted to improve access to land-related information while also maximizing the nation's use of its land resources. The Indian Central Government created the ULPIN as a reliable and well-organised method of collecting geographic data. The ULPIN, in accordance with the government, guarantees that each land-related transaction is distinct and that each land title is up to date.

 

Unique Land Parcel Identification Number Scheme (ULPIN)

Also Read: Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme

The abbreviation for the unique land parcel identification number is ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number). As the name implies, it is a unique number for lands. The ULPIN functions similarly to an Aadhaar card for real estate. It has a 14-digit unique alphanumeric identification number, and this ID includes the provenance, length, longitudinal and meridional measurements.

The unique number contains sensitive information about the landowner, such as their age, location, sexual orientation, banking information, and other specifics about the property they own. An official conducts a thorough survey of that parcel of land or uses a reliable study to generate the unique ID number for that land area. Spatial cadastral maps are also used during the process.

Geo-coordinates are frequently used to identify latitudes and distances, as shown in ULPIN Odisha or ULPIN Bihar, two more Indian states where this approach is used. The Digital India Land Records Modernization Program, which started in 2008, will expand in scope and depth. The unique land parcel identification number scheme's primary goals are to:-

• Ensure that all land-related transactions are unique and that all land titles are updated.
• To list the government agencies dealing with land and associated issues, including the Revenue Department, Survey & Settlement Department, Panchayat, Forest, and Registration Department.
• To provide all citizens with readily available, reasonably priced land-related services.

This includes surveying and resurveying as well as computerizing registrations and land records. Real-time property ownership, full access for everyone, complete visibility, the elimination of stamp papers, payment of council tax charges via banks and online, and a reduction in the RoR (record of rights) based on deadlines are some of the objectives. Future developments include less litigation, automated mutations, and more evident titles.

All land registries and related operations will be available thanks to the ULPIN. It will help keep land records current. Communication over land titles will be more uncomplicated between ministries, investment companies, and all customers. Consequently, residents can contact the services for historical land records through a little window.

In addition to preserving state property, the plan will simplify the process of buying land. This is also a financially sensible plan for the government. Aadhaar data will need to be sown and verified for each landowner, costing five rupees apiece, while using ULPIN to link Aadhaar with title documents will cost three rupees each.

Once a piece of land has its unique number or ULPIN, officials have access to the information pertaining to it, enabling them to provide correct data to farmers and other groups and plan accordingly. Land-related disagreements between individuals will either be non-existent or extremely rare. With time, these disagreements will drastically decrease. The ULPIN software helps in the creation of data on land and property. Providing correct land data aids in the Integrated Land Information Management System's development.

The Integrated Land Information Management System, or ILIMS, the plan will benefit from the ULPIN program's assistance in establishing this complete territorial bank. Each plot will also have a 14-digit alphanumeric ID, as was already mentioned. Geo-referenced sites for the landed property and international standards would serve as the foundation for the particular unique IDs. They will align with this organization's standards and those of the Open Geospatial Consortium, enabling increased expansion throughout all Indian states.

Since the ULPIN is a part of the DILRMP, it is imperative to discuss the program. It is a central sector scheme, initiated in 2008 as the National Land Record Modernization Programme and later renamed the Digital India Land Record Modernization Programme (DILRMP). The DILRMP results from the two programmes, Strengthening of Revenue Administration & Updating of Land Records and Computerization of Land Records (CLR) (SRA &ULR).

The primary goal of the DILRMP is to replace the current system of presumptive titling and deed registration with conclusive titling and a title guarantee. Other goals of the plan include:-

• Systematic update of land records.
• Update and mutation that is automatic or automated
• Combining the spatial and textual land records.
• Creation of a connection between the departments of registration and revenue.

 

Pros 

• A single source of information can verify ownership, which will put an end to questionable ownership.
• It would make it easier to identify government properties and safeguard them from shady land deals.
• Transparency in land transactions and records will result from it.
• The exchange of land records between multiple ministries, financial institutions, and other stakeholders is done more efficiently and without fuss.
• Citizens receive single-window land record services.
• More straightforward land acquisition for construction projects.
• The precise and well-organised land record aids the creation of the Integrated Land Information Management System.

 

Cons

• The rural population may become more dependent on intermediaries, ultimately resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses.
• Beneficiaries may be prevented from associating their ULPIN number with the Aadhar database due to certain Aadhar-related concerns, such as the mismatch of IDs and biometric data.
• One of the main issues with the ULPIN project is the digital divide, which is caused by the fact that most rural residents lack access to the internet and digital devices, which is necessary to access the data from the digitized land records.
• The ULPIN scheme's hurried deployment might cause additional problems with land records and other issues.

 

Scheme Funding

The anticipated costs for some of the new projects were stated in the Department of Land Resources' presentation to the legislative panel. It noted that seeding and validation of landowner Aadhaar data would cost ₹5 per each while linking Aadhaar with land records using ULPIN would cost ₹3 per record. It further stated that the Aadhaar numbers would be voluntarily integrated with the land registry database.

It would cost ₹50 lakhs to build a state-of-the-art land record room in each district, while it would cost ₹270 crore to integrate land records with the Revenue Court Management System. It further said that the "linkage of land record database with banks" will be part of the following phase of the DILRMP. The Department has suggested extending the programme through 2023–2024.

 

Conclusion

The public would gain a lot from the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number Scheme thanks to a single information source that would facilitate property verification and address any issues relating to contested landholdings. It will secure government property from scams and fraudulent transactions while making it simpler to recognize. The ULPIN system effectively protected public property from unauthorized usurpation by supplying unique IDs. In addition, it has made purchasing land simpler.