Kerala, a state celebrated for its historic land reforms, is preparing for another significant milestone. As it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2031, Revenue Minister K. Rajan announced two transformative initiatives: a unified land use code and a pioneering State land bank. This announcement came during a crucial State-level revenue seminar, part of the government’s ambitious Vision 2031 program.
The upcoming State Land Bank will establish a centralized digital platform to meticulously identify all government-owned, yet currently unutilized, land across Kerala. This includes lands reclaimed from encroachments, unclaimed properties, and those acquired through various means like surrender or tax arrears. By consolidating these assets into a single digital repository, the state aims for unparalleled transparency and efficiency in land management.
Complementing this, the unified land use code seeks to simplify Kerala’s complex land legal landscape. It will merge approximately ten existing land-related laws into one comprehensive and coherent framework. Minister Rajan emphasized that this won’t be merely a new set of rules, but a dynamic, technology-driven system designed for real-time responsiveness and ease of access.
Fostering an Investment-Friendly Environment
This forward-thinking vision, built upon the pillars of legal streamlining, digital empowerment, and sustainable resource utilization, is set to transform Kerala into a more sustainable and attractive destination for investment. The state is committed to enhancing transparency, credibility, and overall efficiency in land governance, building on the success of existing online service systems.
By 2031, the Revenue department envisions becoming a fully digital, citizen-centric, and internationally benchmarked governance model. This transformation will be driven by a team of highly skilled technical professionals. The automation of all services and processes is expected to significantly reduce discretionary powers among officials, thereby curbing workload, eliminating intermediaries, and tackling corruption head-on. The ultimate goal for Kerala by 2031 is to become a state free from land disputes, where the need for continuous re-surveying becomes a thing of the past.
The seminar, where these crucial announcements were made, was presided over by Thrissur MLA P. Balachandran. Revenue Department Secretary M. G. Rajamanickam also shared insights into the department’s achievements over the past four-and-a-half years.