The Central government is set to unveil a substantial financial support package for states in the financial year 2024-25 (FY25), focusing on key areas including land-related reforms, the establishment of a Farmers’ Registry, and the construction of hostels for working women.
According to sources cited by The Indian Express, the Centre plans to allocate Rs 10,000 crore to states as incentives for implementing comprehensive land-related reforms across both rural and urban areas. This funding will be disbursed under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25.
Land-Related Reforms
In a move to streamline land management, the Ministry of Finance has finalised and circulated the guidelines for this scheme to states on August 9. The guidelines, which were announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget Speech on July 23, mandate states to adopt several key reforms:
Rural Areas: States are required to assign a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar for all land parcels, digitise cadastral maps, survey map sub-divisions based on current ownership, and establish a comprehensive land registry.
Urban Areas: The financial incentives will support the digitisation of land records through GIS mapping. Additionally, states will develop IT-based systems for property record administration, updating, and tax administration.
Farmers’ Registry
An additional Rs 5,000 crore will be allocated for the creation of a Farmers’ Registry. This initiative aims to include details of six crore farmers and their lands in the registry, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of agricultural data management.
Hostels for Working Women
The Central government will also allocate Rs 5,000 crore towards constructing hostels for working women. This initiative, announced by Sitharaman in her Budget Speech, is designed to increase women’s participation in the workforce. The guidelines stipulate that state governments either provide the land for these hostels at no cost or cover the expenses related to land acquisition.
States are advised to adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the operation and maintenance of these hostels. While the ownership of the hostels will remain with state governments, private entities will handle their operation and upkeep.
Allocation Breakdown
Uttar Pradesh is set to receive the largest share of Rs 382 crore for working women’s hostels.
Madhya Pradesh will receive Rs 284 crore.
Assam will be allocated Rs 226 crore.
Additional Financial Support
Beyond these initiatives, the Central government has outlined further financial support:
- Iconic Tourist Centers: Rs 2,000 crore for global development.
- Old Vehicle Scrapping Incentives: Rs 3,000 crore.
- Industrial Growth: Rs 15,000 crore.
- National Capital Region (NCR): Rs 1,000 crore, to be equally distributed among Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Rs 15,000 crore for urban and rural infrastructure projects.
- SNA Sparsh Model Implementation: Rs 4,000 crore in incentives for the timely release of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- Capital Expenditure Targets: Rs 25,000 crore as incentives for meeting capital expenditure goals for FY25.
These measures reflect the Central government’s commitment to fostering development across various sectors and addressing critical needs at the state level.
