Read All About Bhulekh Meghalaya

• The land falling under the territory’s jurisdiction belongs to the indigenous tribes and not the state government.
• The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS) maintains land records or Bhulekh Meghalaya.
• The Bhulekh Meghalaya is currently available offline only.

Meghalaya is celebrated for its vibrant and unique tribal customs and culture. Another thing that makes this northeastern state different from many others is the real estate sector.The land within the territory’s jurisdiction belongs to the indigenous tribes and not the state government. The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS) looks into the maintenance of land records or Bhulekh Meghalaya, which is administered by the Meghalaya Revenue and Disaster Management Department (MRDMD). It is subject to the guidelines of the Land Survey and Records Preparation Act, 1980.The Bhulekh Meghalaya iscurrently available offline only. Wondering why they aren’t available online yet? Discover the reason behind this and learn about the DLRS functionality.

The DLRS is responsible for Bhulekh Meghalaya under the supervision of MRDMD. These land records indicate the land’s occupancy and possession. Key Functionalities Some key functionalities of DLRS include:

• Conducting works surveys for the preparation of Bhulekh Meghalaya.
• Performing duties related to districts and sub-divisional boundaries.
• Annual restoration of displaced/missing/damaged boundary pillars in coordination with the Bangladesh authorities.
• Responsible for printing Indo-Bangladesh district and state maps and strip maps.
• Collaborating with district offices for digitisation of maps and updating revenue records. These include the Survey Wing associated with the Director of Land Records and Surveys in Shillong, the Revenue Branch of six districts and one sub-division, and The Meghalaya Survey School, headquartered in Tura.

Survey Wing The survey wing of the DLRS comprises four sections - the General and Controlling Section, the Traverse Section, the Drawing Section, and the Reproduction Section. While the first section serves administrative purposes, the other three sections are technical in nature.The Survey Wing is tasked with the following functions and duties:

• Cadastral survey
• Interstate boundary survey and demarcation
• Indo-Bangladesh boundary maintenance
• Training for the Meghalaya Police Service (MPS) and Meghalaya Civil Services (MCS) officers
• Training for the District and Land Records staff
• Metric cell scheme implementation

Revenue Branch The respective Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Sub-divisional Officers (SDO) (Civil) administer the Revenue Branch. They are the principal revenue officers and collectors and are assisted by the revenue officers from the MCS. Meghalaya Survey School Formed in 1974, the Meghalaya Survey School is headquartered in Tura, West Garo Hills District. It was established to impart training in the recorders course. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tura, supervises the school and serves as the principal.Meghalaya Offline Records Bhulekh Under the National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP), Several states are digitising the traditional talukdari system. Digitisation fosters transparency and accountability. Besides, it offers ease of access to land-related information.On the other hand, there are no online records in Meghalaya. While DLRS manages Bhulekh Meghalaya and surveys, there is no government-managed online portal, largely due to the following:

• Since the native tribes own the land, the state government is unable to implement land-related norms and guidelines, including land tax rates.
• The preference of the tribes for traditional practices makes it challenging for the government to introduce digital literacy.

This blog spotlights the need to learn the local laws before making any real estate decision. Unlike many states with online land records, Meghalaya has an offline system of recording. Likewise, other states may have a unique legal or operational framework.Beyond legal considerations, availing of the right home loan is equally important. Opt for financial institutions offering tailored solutions like home loans that align with your requirements.