Farmers in Telangana are voicing concerns over the newly introduced land survey rules under the ‘Bhu Bharathi’ law. While the Congress government promises a streamlined and transparent registration process, the practical challenges of implementing mandatory land surveys before sales have sparked debates and discontent.
Under the existing system, selling agricultural land is relatively hassle-free. Farmers book an appointment online, visit the Tahsildar’s office, and complete the registration and mutation process within half an hour. There is no need for bribes or prolonged waiting.
The new law mandates a survey before any land transaction. Farmers must first apply for a survey, after which a surveyor will measure the land and provide a digital map with precise boundaries. Only then can registration take place. However, this process is complicated by a severe shortage of surveyors.
There are currently 612 mandals in the state, but only 250 surveyors are available to handle the workload. Each surveyor is responsible for multiple mandals, with tens of survey applications piling up. On average, a surveyor can measure one or two plots per day, which is far below the demand.
In some mandals, up to 30 registrations are required daily, raising doubts about the feasibility of fulfilling survey requests promptly. Farmers report delays of three to four weeks, even after applying through Meeseva.
The government has proposed appointing 1,000 additional surveyors, including former VROs and VRAs, but this move is fraught with uncertainties and logistical challenges. Farmers are already struggling to get surveys completed. Many claim they must pay bribes to expedite the process, with the amount varying based on urgency. The new rule may exacerbate this issue, as farmers will rely even more heavily on government surveyors.
Licensed private surveyors exist, but farmers often distrust their services, adding to the burden on government-appointed surveyors. The law provides little clarity on handling discrepancies between recorded and actual land measurements.
For instance, if a farmer’s records show 2.5 acres but the survey finds only 2 acres, it is unclear what happens to the remaining half-acre during registration. Similar ambiguities exist for government lands and pattas. The government plans to recruit former VROs and VRAs as surveyors.
However, these individuals have raised concerns about unclear service terms. Key questions include whether they will retain their current seniority, receive technical training, or need to start their careers anew.
The mandatory survey requirement imposes additional financial burdens, as farmers must pay survey fees and often bribes to expedite the process. For those in urgent need of funds, these delays can lead to significant hardships.