The Issue of Sikmi Land in Jharkhand: A Critical Analysis

The state of Jharkhand has been grappling with issues related to land records for several years. One of the most significant problems faced by the state is the prevalence of Sikmi land. Sikmi land refers to land that has been incorrectly or fraudulently recorded in the government’s land records. This issue has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the landowners but also the state’s revenue and overall development.

The Jharkhand government has launched the Jharbhoomi portal, which allows landowners to view their land records online. However, the online entry process has been marred by errors, resulting in Sikmi land. This has caused significant problems for landowners, including difficulties in selling or transferring land, incorrect calculation of land taxes, and disputes over land ownership.

To address this issue, the Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must take immediate action. The following steps must be taken:

1. Immediate correction: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must immediately correct the errors in the land records and replace Sikmi land with the correct designation.

2. Awareness campaign: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must launch an awareness campaign to inform landowners about the issue of Sikmi land and the steps being taken to address it.

3. Helpline number: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must establish a helpline number that landowners can call to report errors in their land records and seek assistance.

4. Regular updates: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must regularly update the Jharbhoomi portal to ensure that landowners can access accurate and up-to-date information about their land.

In addition to these steps, the Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must also take the following measures:

1. Review of the Jharbhoomi portal: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must review the Jharbhoomi portal to identify the causes of the errors and take steps to prevent them in the future.

2. Resolution of landowners’ grievances: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must establish a mechanism to resolve landowners’ grievances and provide them with assistance in resolving errors in their land records.

3. Improvement of land records: The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must take steps to improve the accuracy and reliability of land records, including the use of technology to digitize and update land records.

In conclusion, the issue of Sikmi land in Jharkhand is a critical problem that requires immediate attention. The Jharkhand government and the Revenue Department must take immediate action to correct errors in land records, launch an awareness campaign, establish a helpline number, and regularly update the Jharbhoomi portal. By taking these steps, the Jharkhand government can ensure that landowners have access to accurate and reliable information about their land, and that the state’s revenue and development are not adversely affected by errors in land records.