In a move that comes as a big relief to landowners across Bihar, the state government has extended the deadline for submitting self-declarations (Form-2) and genealogy information (Form-3) under the ongoing land survey project. While the original deadline was March 31, officials have confirmed an extension—though no official new date has been announced yet. Rumors suggest April 15 could be the new cutoff.
Farmers Still Scrambling
Despite the extension, confusion and panic persist among farmers. So far, only 65% of landowners in the district have managed to upload their land-related documents, as many are still struggling to retrieve key records. Some of these documents are reportedly missing from government archives, adding to the frustration.
Department Minister Sanjay Sarawagi has reassured farmers that they can upload their claims based on available documents, easing concerns about incomplete records.
Survey to End Land Disputes
The massive survey initiative, scheduled to conclude by December 2026, is aimed at resolving long-standing land disputes. A team of 85 officials, including settlement officers and clerks, is working across 18 zones and 1238 revenue villages.
High-Tech Mapping
The department has deployed aerial surveys and ortho photography to accurately map land areas. So far, over 7.8 lakh self-declaration forms have been submitted, with just under 20,000 still pending upload. Additionally, khasra entries are being updated across revenue villages using special land survey software.
Jamabandi Status
Out of over 15.2 lakh jamabandi records in the district, about 1.86 lakh are either incomplete or incorrect. Many landowners whose jamabandi records do not yet exist have now applied to establish them.
Still a Long Road Ahead
Assistant Settlement Officer Kamlesh Prasad admitted it's tough to pinpoint the exact number of landowners in the district. However, he confirmed that about 65% have already filed their claims.
As the state pushes ahead with this landmark land survey project, the extended deadline gives landowners a crucial window to complete their paperwork—and perhaps, finally put an end to decades of land ownership uncertainty.
