“UP Revenue Department is taking steps to encourage employees to use new technologies & improve infrastructure,” says G S Naveen Kumar, IAS

In an exclusive conversation with APAC News Network & CXO News, G S Naveen Kumar, IAS, Revenue Secretary/Relief Commissioner, Department of Revenue, Government of Uttar Pradesh, outlines the digital initiatives undertaken in the state and highlighted how technology would influence the future initiatives.

What are some of the key recent initiatives undertaken by the Department of Revenue of Uttar Pradesh that you would like to highlight?

The Revenue Department has taken various recent initiatives like Real-time Khatauni, Svamitva scheme, minimizing land conversion fees, and establishment of climate resilience observatory

• Record of Rights has been digitized which is enabled through an online Bhulekh portal. This comprehensive database, available in 23 languages, facilitates the verification of land ownership.
• Real-time Khatauni is being implemented. The buyer’s name will be recorded on the documents within 24 hours of the deed execution. So far, real-time Khatauni has been created for 1,00,787 out of 1,10,365 villages, which is 91% of the total villages.
• We have implemented a system in which mutation application is auto-triggered as soon as the property is registered at the Sub-registrar office. Now, an applicant need not separately apply for mutation.
• The Svamitva Scheme has been launched to create property cards for houses in villages. As part of this initiative, 89,221 villages have been surveyed by drones and marked with lime. Among these, 56,594 villages have been digitized, resulting in the distribution of 5,846,465 property cards.
• We are collaborating with IIIT Roorkee to digitize village maps, Record of Rights, etc for Chakbandi villages.
• The process for acquiring land beyond the stipulated limit of 12.5 acres has been streamlined under Section 89 of UP Revenue Code 2006. As per the earlier procedure, applicants were required to provide details pertaining to the plot/survey number of the land to be acquired and details of the sellers. Now, these are not required to be provided. Additionally, an online form has been developed to simplify application processes.
• The fee for converting land from agricultural to non-agricultural use has been reduced. Previously, a 2% fee was charged, comprising of 1% court fee and 1% stamp duty. Now, only a 1% stamp duty plus an additional INR 50 is charged.
• The timeline for the measurement/demarcation of land has been reduced from 90 days to 15 days under Rule 22 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code Rules, 2016, and Section 24 of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006.
• We have initiated the establishment of a Climate Resilience Observatory at IIIT Lucknow. The CRO will process data from multiple sources like IMD, NDMA, ISRO, various IoT-based Sensors, etc. to simulate & undertake vulnerability assessments, predictive methods, real-time alert systems, disaster impact assessments, etc.

What are the main objectives of these recent initiatives?

• Digitizing the Record of Rights and making it accessible through the online portal facilitates the verification of land ownership across 23 languages.
• Implementing real-time Khatauni has helped expedite the process of recording the buyer’s name on property documents within 24 hours of deed execution.
• The objective of streamlining the property mutation process was to automatically initiate the application upon registration, eliminating the need for separate applications by the applicant.
• The Svamitva scheme facilitated providing property ownership cards to village households.
• Streamlining the land acquisition process beyond 12.5 acres has eliminated the requirement for detailed submissions about the land and seller by introducing an online application form.
• Reducing the fee for converting land from agricultural to non-agricultural use has lowered financial barriers and encouraged land development.
• The objective of the change in measurement/demarcation of land timeline from 90 days to 15 days is to expedite the land measurement and the demarcation process in Uttar Pradesh.
• The CRO will support (i) Decision-making for climate-sensitive sectors to enhance agricultural productivity, infrastructural resilience, and livelihoods, (ii) Scientific assessment of the impacts of changing weather and climate patterns on UP’s vital economic sectors, (iii) Better preparation for extreme weather events, reduce efforts & finances required for recovery and reconstruction, (iv) Integration of evidence-based climate information into economic and development planning.

What have been the major challenges in implementing these initiatives and what strategies have been employed to overcome them?

The major challenges included resistance to change among employees, inadequate infrastructure, outdated land records and GIS maps, inadequate capacity-building programs, and limited awareness among citizens about their rights and entitlements.

To address these, the Department is taking steps to encourage employees to use new technologies, improve infrastructure, update GIS land record layers, and conduct citizen awareness programs.

How is the department leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and transparency of services?

• Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) & Telemetric Weather Stations (TWS) are being installed at most of the locations in Uttar Pradesh. These leverage a combination of sensor technology, data logging capabilities, communication protocols, and software algorithms to provide accurate and reliable meteorological data for a wide range of applications, including weather forecasting, climate monitoring, agriculture, aviation, and research.
• Our Integrated Disaster Control Center operates 24/7 to monitor the occurrence of disasters and facilitate assistance to citizens.
• The RAHAT Portal facilitates financial assistance under multiple grant schemes to disaster-affected people. The Aapda Prahari Mobile application sends real-time alerts about impending or occurring natural disasters and extreme weather events. We have also established the RAHAT Vani Centre to disseminate disaster-related warnings and alerts to the public.
• We are taking steps towards installing Doppler Lightning Detection Sensors which utilize advanced radar technology to track lightning activity in real-time through analyzing the electromagnetic signals emitted by lightning strikes.

What are the upcoming initiatives in the department that you are focusing on?

• Establishment of Climate Resilience Observatory through technology intervention: Utilizing technology, such as GIS mapping and satellite imagery, to establish early warning systems, and improve disaster risk assessments, response planning, and monitoring of relief operations. Integration of various sensors with CRO Stack like 30 lightning sensors, 100 Telemetric Weather Stations, 450 Automatic Weather Stations, 2000 Automatic Rain Gauges, 2950 Public Address Systems, and 40 River Sensors.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Designing and implementing rehabilitation programs to assist affected individuals and communities in rebuilding their lives, including providing housing support, livelihood opportunities, and psychosocial counseling.
• Strengthening community engagement initiatives: Enhancing community connection and interface through setting up dynamic digital signages, public address systems, and other technologies to strengthen collaboration with communities, NGOs, CSOs, and schools to empower them on disaster preparedness, mitigation, and subsequent response.
• Use of drones for Land Survey and Mapping: Use of drones and advanced technologies for conducting land surveys and mapping activities to update land records, resolve boundary disputes, and ensure accurate land ownership information.
• Resilience Infrastructure: Testing for the structural integrity of available infrastructure through infrastructure health monitoring tools, will enhance the resilience of these mega structures in urban and rural areas.

From your experience as the Relief Commissioner of the state, what are some of the most important factors to manage and respond to a major disaster?

UP is prone to several disasters, the major ones being floods, drought, lightning strikes, heat waves, earthquakes, thunderstorms, and cold waves which have been adversely impacting lives, property, environment, and infrastructure in the State. As Relief Commissioner, my focus has been on adopting a ‘whole of government’ approach to monitor and manage disasters, and also on embedding disaster resilience across sectors, to empower the State to cope with the impact of the disasters.

We have placed disaster resilience planning and preparedness at the heart of our agenda. This includes investing in the latest Technologies such as Early Warning Systems, the Climate Resilient Observatory, etc. Addressing vulnerability by building resilience is more cost-effective than emergency relief. Building the capability of the State machinery and the community to combat the impact of disasters and investment in disaster resilience will result in providing triple dividends – (1) Avoiding losses when disasters strike; (2) Stimulating economic activity by reducing disaster risks; and (3) Development co-benefits such investment such a jobs, better quality of life, etc.

We are implementing measures to reduce the underlying risk factors contributing to disasters that are essential for long-term resilience. This involves land-use planning, infrastructure improvements, environmental conservation, and initiatives to address socio-economic vulnerabilities.

The vulnerability to any disaster is exacerbated by the other social and systemic vulnerabilities in a community. The proportion of multidimensionally poor in Uttar Pradesh is 22.93%, though there has been a significant reduction in the absolute number of multi-dimensionally poor in the State. We ensure that we factor in the socio-economic vulnerabilities while planning for disaster resilience.

We have established the ‘RAHAT Gurukulam’ which is the State’s first State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) training facility. We are designing capacity building programs for government officials, communities, and people through the RAHAT Gurukulam.

Effective action during or before any disaster requires concerted effort from various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community groups, and international organizations. We have worked with the UPSDMA towards establishing clear lines of communication and chain of command for cooperation among different departments of the government, district administrations, community leaders, NGOs and other stakeholders.

By prioritizing these factors and adopting a comprehensive approach to disaster management, we can better protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and build more resilient communities in the face of adversity.

Are there any measures and/or technologies that the department is planning to use to improve its disaster management response?

Technological Advancements: We are leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovation to enhance infrastructure resilience. Initiatives like sensor networks, remote monitoring systems, and predictive analytics play pivotal roles in improving the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of our infrastructure assets. Notably, the implementation of the Climate Resilient Observatory in Lucknow showcases our commitment to embracing innovative solutions.

Urban Resilience: Recognizing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, we are investing in resilient urban infrastructure. Sustainable transportation systems, green spaces, and climate-resilient buildings are key components aimed at enhancing the quality of life for urban residents and bolstering overall city resilience.

Policy and Governance: Strengthening policies, regulations, and governance frameworks forms the bedrock of our resilience infrastructure initiatives. Enacting and enforcing robust building codes, land-use planning regulations, and disaster management plans ensure that our investments align with resilience and sustainability goals.

Flood Management Infrastructure: Given UP’s vulnerability to flooding, particularly in regions along the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, investing in flood management infrastructure is imperative to mitigate risks and safeguard communities.

Disaster-Resilient Housing: Recognizing the seismic risks, we’re advocating for disaster-resilient housing initiatives. From reinforced concrete structures to retrofitting vulnerable buildings, these measures aim to minimize casualties and property damage during seismic events.

Critical Infrastructure Protection: Protecting critical assets such as power plants and transportation networks is paramount. Investments in protective measures like backup power systems, security fencing, and surveillance technologies ensure the continuity of essential services during emergencies.

Community-Based Resilience: Empowering communities to build their resilience is central to our approach. Initiatives such as early warning systems, evacuation shelters, and livelihood support programs reduce vulnerability to shocks and stresses, ensuring communities can better withstand disasters.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Given the significance of agriculture in the State’s economy, investments in climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure are crucial. From water harvesting systems to drought-resistant crops and crop insurance programs, these initiatives help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions and improve their livelihoods.

Capacity Building: I had earlier mentioned the ‘RAHAT Gurukulam’ which we have established for facilitating effective and timely disaster management training to various departments, institutions, communities, and relevant stakeholders to prepare them for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.

We are dedicated to making UP better prepared to handle and bounce back from disasters by taking on various aspects of building resilient infrastructure and livelihoods.

Alice Purty, APAC News Network