India’s land administration system is one of the most intricate in the world, shaped by centuries of Mughal reforms, British revenue models, and diverse regional traditions. While this history provides a rich administrative tapestry, it has created a complex "patchwork" of terminology that varies significantly across State lines. Today, as the nation moves toward seamless digital governance, the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) has launched a pioneering initiative to harmonize this lexicon: The Glossary of Revenue Terms (GoRT).

The Challenge: A Mosaic of Terms Because land is a State subject, each region has historically maintained its own vocabulary for land records. This has resulted in a landscape where identical concepts are expressed in entirely different languages. For example: Land Parcels: A plot is a 'khasra' in the north, a 'survey number' in the south and west, and a 'dag' in the northeast Ownership Records: Records are variously termed 'jamabandi', 'patta', 'chitta', or '7/12 extracts' depending on the region. Measurement Units: Area units range from 'bigha' and 'kanal' in the north to 'cents' in the south and 'kattha' in the east. This diversity presents significant hurdles for digital interoperability and national schemes like PM-KISAN, making database integration difficult when parcel identifiers and ownership descriptions differ so vastly.

The GoRT Initiative: Standardizing for the Digital Age Conceptualized by the DoLR and prepared by the Centre of Excellence, YASHADA, Pune, the GoRT project provides a comprehensive reference for land-related terms in English and Hindi. The project followed a structured, four-phase approach to compile nomenclature for Major Record of Rights (RoR) forms and cadastral maps across all 35 States and Union Territories. A key innovation of the GoRT is its focus on establishing "Equivalence" or "Similarity". Rather than forcing a single rigid term upon all states, the project recognized that grouping similar terms is the most effective way to aid understanding while preserving regional identity. Impact on Citizens and Governance The glossary is designed to be a tool for administrators, researchers, and citizens alike. It clarifies terms like 'Pattadaaru peru' (Andhra Pradesh), 'Raiyaat ka naam' (Bihar), and 'Bhogvatadarache nav' (Maharashtra), all of which refer to the landholder. By providing a common linguistic foundation, the GoRT aims to: Enhance Interoperability: Aligning land records with digital systems like Bhu-Naksha and PM Gati Shakti. Simplify Transitions: Helping migrant citizens and businesses interpret unfamiliar terminology when relocating across states.

Reduce Disputes: Providing legal clarity for administrative agencies and courts. In summary, the Glossary of Revenue Terms is more than just a list of definitions; it is a foundational step toward "Ease of Living" and "Ease of Doing Business" in India. By harmonizing the nation's land administration lexicon, the GoRT ensures clarity and transparency in the digital future of India’s land records.

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