Patna: Bihar’s ambitious plan to digitise and streamline land records is facing significant delays, with officials struggling to meet the government’s March 31 deadline.
The programme, aimed at modernising land surveys and mutation processes, has slowed considerably, raising concerns about its implementation on the ground.
According to officials, more than 46 million applications related to land reforms, mutation and record updates remain pending across the state. While new applications continue to be filed ежедневно, the pace of processing has failed to keep up, leading to a growing backlog.
A key challenge identified by the administration is a shortage of personnel. There is a lack of circle officers and revenue staff, with many officials reportedly on leave or engaged in other assignments. The absence of adequate manpower has led to delays in file processing, with cases remaining pending for extended periods.
The situation has been compounded by the addition of new responsibilities under schemes such as the Mahadalit Vikas Mission and the Bhoomi Abhiyan. These initiatives have increased the workload on already stretched officials, affecting the progress of core land reform activities.
The impact of the delays is being felt widely, particularly in rural areas. Farmers and landowners have reported difficulties in obtaining necessary documents, while disputes related to land and crops are said to be on the rise.
Residents in several districts have complained of having to make repeated visits to government offices, reflecting growing frustration and a decline in public confidence in the system.
Experts have raised concerns over the planning and execution of the initiative, arguing that targets were set without adequately strengthening administrative capacity. Some have described the situation as a systemic failure, warning that without timely intervention, the backlog and associated issues could worsen further.
The delays highlight the challenges of implementing large-scale administrative reforms, particularly in sectors that require extensive coordination and manpower.
