Mumbai, (The Hindu):  Maharashtra on Tuesday became the first state to provide digitally-signed land record receipts (also known as 7/12 receipts), which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed would check irregularities and bring in transparency.

The 7/12 receipt is the most important document which establishes the ownership of the land, and is primarily used by farmers while applying for loans. It is also used by the government during crop surveys and to extend various facilities.

“The demand for 7/12 receipt is for submission at bank or some government office. Many a time, it delays the processing of documents. With digital authentication, the farmers will no longer have to visit revenue offices or the Maha e-seva centres,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

The farmers will now have to inform only the gat (group) number or survey number to bank or a government department, and the respective agency can ensure the 7/12 receipt online. “This will also lead to ease of doing business,” the CM said, adding handling of intra-departmental documents will get a boost.

Presently, eight lakh 7/12 receipts come with digital sign, and the aim is to complete the digitisation of all 2.5 crore receipts by August 1. “This will reduce the crowding in major government offices, as the farmers need not have to run from pillar to post to get things done,” Mr. Fadnavis said.

The digitisation of the revenue records began in 1990 as a pilot project in Wardha, Vidarbha region. “The amount of work completed from 1990 to 2014 was almost equal to the work we did since 2014,” he said. The government has spent 90 crore on the project.

Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said his department is also planning to digitise the land maps, and all revenue documents with district offices, which are estimated around 2.5 crore.

To get the 7/12 receipt with digital sign, one must go to https://mahabhulekh.maharashtra. gov.in and fill the necessary details. A pdf file with digital sign can be printed, which can be used with any government office.