Uttar Pradesh (UP), the most populous Indian state, is following the footsteps of other states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to implement blockchain technology.

Business Standard reported that the UP government, led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, intends to implement the technology in the areas of data security relating to land and revenue records, as well as other departments.

According to the report, UP Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey has directed senior government officials to build a blockchain infrastructure aimed at enhancing the security and credibility of revenue and land records within the next six months. The notification draft is expected to be prepared within a week and presented before the state Information Technology (IT) department.

Pandey believes that blockchain technology would help ensure data security of land and revenue records while facilitating online mutation, registration, and verification of such records. It would also help curb forgery and tampering of records.

The government intends to roll out the technology in other departments after its successful implementation in the revenue department.

Earlier this year, Indian Finance Minister had said that the government “will explore use of blockchain technology proactively for ushering in digital economy.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been voicing his support for blockchain technology in past couple of months. In May, he underscored the importance of blockchain technology in the area of agriculture.

More recently, Indian government think-tank NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) with fertilizer major Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GNFC) to undertake joint research on blockchain application in fertilizer subsidy management.