Mumbai, Dec 4 (NationPress) The government of Maharashtra has taken a significant step towards enhancing e-governance by officially recognizing Digital 7/12 extracts and other crucial land documentation, including 8-A and Ferfar, as legally valid. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Thursday that a government resolution has been issued to implement new regulations for Digital Land Records under the 2025 Act.

“We are excited to share a monumental advancement in E-Governance for Maharashtra. Gone are the days of dependency and lengthy queues. With Trust Through Tech, extracts like 7/12, 8A, and Mutation (Ferfar) will now be protected with a Digital Signature, QR Code, and a 16-digit verification number; no Talathi stamp is needed. This initiative ensures affordable access, allowing anyone to obtain an official and verified extract for just Rs 15. These digital records will be accepted for all government-related tasks. This demonstrates our commitment to transparency, speed, and streamlined processes for business transactions,” stated Minister Bawankule.

The government resolution indicates that the Maharashtra government has begun the enactment of the 'Maharashtra Land Measurement and Record Keeping Act, 2025' through the establishment of detailed rules for measuring village land and preparing updated land records.

“The new regulations are designed to simplify the process for citizens in need of official land documentation. The Digital Signature rules stipulate the method for authenticating records, including the digital signature of the Land Revenue Officer. Citizens can now apply for corrections or updated records through two primary avenues. Online Portal: Access the official Mahabhumi Portal (http://digitalbaliraja.mahabhumi.gov.in). Offline/Direct: Applications can be submitted via the Village Revenue Officer (Gram Mahsul Adhikari) or the Tahsildar's office. This marks a crucial advancement in digitizing and modernizing land administration, significantly reducing manual processes,” the government resolution elaborated.

Moreover, the resolution highlights that a 7/12 extract is an essential official land record document, especially in rural Maharashtra, that merges two village forms: Form VII (Record of Rights) and Form XII (Agricultural Details). It contains detailed information regarding a parcel of land, such as ownership, area, survey number, and agricultural specifics, and serves as a verification tool for land ownership in transactions, loans, and dispute resolution.

Additionally, an 8A extract is an official land record document, often referred to as a “Khata”, which encapsulates a landowner's rights and includes revenue information such as tax obligations and payments. This document is crucial for validating ownership, tracking land revenue, and facilitating transactions like property sales or loans. It is predominantly utilized in Maharashtra and complements other documents like the 7/12 extract.

Regarding the Ferfar, this is a legal record that documents the mutations (changes or transfers) of land ownership over time, also known as the Mutation Register, which is maintained by local revenue authorities, primarily the Talathi office. The term Ferfar refers to the official recording of any change in land ownership within the land records.