The rectangular symbol at the bottom of a Web page printout does not look very impressive. But for lakhs of farmers, developers and property owners in Maharashtra, the digital signature will soon stand for transparency, accessibility and trust in the state’s land records.

After making details of all land records public on a website in 2005, Maharashtra is planning to usher in a new era of transparency into land deals and transactions by introducing a unique talathi digital signature system in January. The system will make it possible to download and take a printout of land record extracts from its website, which will be treated as valid legal documents.

To start off, the state will provide access to authenticated land record printouts to various government departments including the Anti Corruption Bureau, Income-Tax and various farmer-lending institutions through its website — http://mahabhulekh.mumbai.nic.in — in January. Once the system is in place, it will give “all and sundry” full access to the printout facility.

“The mystery surrounding land record documents locked away in the basta of a talathi will disappear after the documents are made easily accessible. The facility will not only enhance capabilities of government and semi government departments but will also do away with shady deals,” Settlements Commissioner and Director of land records, Maharashtra TC Benjamin says.

With the printout facility set to start by January-end, various government departments have lined up to take lessons for using the system. While Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) will use it to identify and gather proof on corrupt government officials, the I-T Department plans to track land deals and disproportionate assets of individuals.

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