Prayagraj/Chandigarh, January 18: Taking a major step towards rural empowerment, Punjab Governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, participated in the historic Swamitva Yojana event virtually from Prayagraj. The event, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saw the distribution of over 65 lakh property cards to beneficiaries living in over 50,000 villages across 230 districts across 10 states and 2 Union Territories.
Governor Kataria hailed the Swamitva Yojana and said that it would prove to be a transformative initiative for rural India. He emphasised its potential to bring clarity in property ownership, reduce disputes and provide opportunities for economic empowerment to lakhs of people.
Highlighting Punjab’s impressive progress under the scheme, the Governor said that 17,030 property cards have been distributed in 122 villages across five districts of the state – Gurdaspur, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Sangrur and Bathinda.
The Governor said that the Swamitva scheme will play a vital role in rural development. He added that the scheme empowers rural people by providing them with legal ownership rights, promoting self-reliance, and enabling them to access institutional credit and economic opportunities. Punjab’s active participation in this initiative reflects our commitment to equity and transparent governance.
The Governor appreciated the use of advanced drone and GIS technology under the scheme, which ensures accurate mapping and ownership records for rural properties. He said that this innovative approach has not only reduced land disputes but also strengthened the foundation for sustainable rural development.
Launched on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day in 2020, the Swamitva Yojana aims to provide a “Record of Rights” to rural property owners, which resolves long-standing issues of property ownership. Punjab’s achievements in implementing the scheme reflect the state’s dedication to promoting self-reliant villages and empowering the rural population.
Governor Kataria appreciated Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership in launching this historic programme and thanked Punjab for its support in implementing it. He also highlighted the happiness and confidence among the beneficiaries as a testament to the success of the scheme.
As Punjab moves forward with its rural development agenda, the Governor expressed the state’s commitment to leverage the Swamitva scheme to create transparent governance, reduce poverty and increase economic opportunities for its citizens.
This event underscores Punjab's active role in realizing the vision of an empowered and self-reliant rural India, with the overarching objectives of sustainable and inclusive development.