Land survey crucial for Naga future: TN Manen

Stressing the urgent need for comprehensive land survey and record-keeping in the state, advisor for land revenue and law & justice, TN Manen, on Thursday cautioned that the state risked losing its land and opportunities for economic growth if corrective measures were not taken immediately.
Speaking as guest of honour at the annual departmental officers’ meeting, held in the conference hall of directorate of land records & survey (DLRS), advisor lamented that the state had not been able to take full advantage of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, which was passed in 2002, and extended to Nagaland only in 2022.
He explained that unlike other states, Nagaland did not have a proper system of land patta, except in Dimapur, making it impossible for landowners across the state to mortgage their land and access loans from banks.
“People of Dimapur should be happy that their assets can be mortgaged to avail loans. But what about the rest of Nagaland? Without land patta, landowners are left helpless. How can our educated and capable youth take up entrepreneurship when banks refuse loans due to lack of security?” he questioned.
Manen said that land was the only real mortgageable asset for Nagas, but misinterpretation of Article 371 (A) has further compounded the problem.
He clarified that Art 371 (A) prevents alienation of tribal land to non-Nagas, but does not prevent Nagas from buying and selling land among themselves. “We have misunderstood our own constitutional protection, and this is a serious concern,” he stated.
Also, slamming the functioning of the department, advisor observed that despite being one of the oldest and most important departments of the state, the department failed to live up to its responsibility.
He pointed out that in most other states, the land revenue and land survey were combined into a single department, but in Nagaland, the duties and responsibilities of land revenue have not been clearly defined by the state government.
Manen said that the department had neither been able to expand as it should, nor had it been able to explore its full potential.
He reminded officers that DLRS was the custodian of land in the state, but surveys have not been conducted properly, adding that in many districts, land records were either outdated or absent.
“What land survey have you done in your districts? Are proper records being maintained? This is a question you must ask yourselves seriously,” he told the officials. Further, advisor lamented that the department officers have not taken full advantage of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) scheme.
Highlighting problem of multiple ownership of plots in Dimapur, Manen observed that if a proper survey were conducted, many plots would be found to have three or four claimants.
Advisor attributed this to insincere efforts in earlier cadastral surveys, which he said were either carried out half-heartedly or with deliberate lapses. “If a mistake is found in a conclusive survey, then it is the responsibility of the officer who conducted it. Unfortunately, in earlier surveys, officers were insincere and that is why we are facing so many complications today,” he remarked.
Recalling his experience as commissioner in charge of border areas, Manen said he had cautioned Naga villages along the Assam border that they risked losing their land to Assam. He warned that Assam was meticulously incorporating Naga areas into their land records, which would eventually allow them to claim ownership.
Calling for “drastic changes”, the advisor said the department should transform itself into a “living department instead of a half-dead one”, he urged officers to come up with rational, reasonable and practical ideas during the two-day meeting to strengthen the department.
Manen pointed that the department should make people understand that land survey was in the interest of the public, and not against it, adding that it was the duty of the department to carry out this work sincerely and strictly.
Meanwhile, delivering his address, commissioner & secretary, land revenue, and director, census operations Nagaland, Dr. Zasekhuolie Chusi, underscored the critical role of the department in facilitating developmental activities.
Pointing that no developmental activity was possible without land use in today’s world, he said this makes the department crucial, not only for planning and development, but also for upholding constitutional land rights.
Chusi also pointed that the only cadastral survey carried out in the state was in Dimapur in 1994, and stressed the urgent need for surveys and re-surveys to be undertaken across the state.
He, however, admitted that the department faced challenges due to financial constraints. Chusi also dwelled on the disparity between DLRS and other departments in terms of manpower and presence at the district level, despite the department being more than 50 years old.
He expressed hope that the two-day meeting would produce concrete decisions for the betterment of the department.
Chusi also urged all the officers to be sincere, proactive, and to play a vital role in assisting the state government.
Earlier, the meeting was chaired by additional director, Khunenchu Magh, invocation was offered by DLR&SO Peren, Phernongwi Zeliang, and welcome address by director, L. Khuming. A special song was also presented by SFA, Lily and vote of thanks by joint director, Merenkaba Pongen.