In a significant move towards increased transparency in land transactions, the Maharashtra Land Records Department is set to provide online access to data on legal disputes related to land in both urban and rural areas. The initiative will empower potential land purchasers to check whether the land they intend to buy is involved in any legal conflicts.
According to an official from the land records department, residents will soon have the ability to enter survey numbers or 7/12 extract details online to determine if there are any legal disputes associated with a particular piece of land. The official mentioned that the ongoing work of data linkage is expected to be completed shortly.
The process of uploading ongoing cases has already begun, as stated by a senior official of the land records department. Efforts are underway to enhance data related to previous cases, with the ultimate goal of providing a comprehensive and area-wise search facility.
Maharashtra is among the few states pioneering this initiative, with the process of upgrading the facility commencing last year and still ongoing. With support from the National Informatics Center, the department’s website is being integrated with civil cases, making it easier for the public to access relevant information.
Citizen activists have welcomed the move, stating that online access to court cases will greatly benefit the public by providing transparency in land transactions. Potential buyers can make informed decisions by checking for legal disputes on the website, contributing to an overall reduction in questionable transactions. However, there is an emphasis on ensuring that awareness about these online facilities is widely disseminated among the public.
The initiative aligns with the Union government’s directive to states to link land records with legal disputes, aiming to streamline the process and enhance transparency in property transactions.
