Virtual hearing of Land cases launched

The Ministry of Land has started virtual hearing of land related cases to ensure efficient, transparent, accountable and people-friendly land management. Initially, the program is starting in 61 districts excepting Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban hill districts. This service mainly includes cases related to naming, submission, miscellaneous cases, miscase, settlement, record amendment, objections and appeals. Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury inaugurated the online hearing at the Secretariat on Wednesday (June 9). The secretary said that precautions have been taken to ensure that the right person takes part in the hearing. At the same time, the process of collecting land rent will also start online from July, the land minister said. For online hearing of land related cases, the request has to be made on the website of the Ministry of Land (www.minland.gov.bd) with national identity card, date of birth, mobile and email address. After that a verification code will be sent to the mobile phone. Using this code the applicant will be able to see the details of his case. They will request a hearing with the necessary information. If the application for hearing is accepted, the applicant will be informed by mail. A zoom link will be provided on the day of the hearing. By clicking on that link, the applicant can take part in the online hearing. Speaking as the chief guest, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said, “We are urging the citizens to register to pay land tax or rent. We will inaugurate it next July. I hope Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present at the event. Land Secretary Md Mostafizur Rahman, who was present on the occasion, said that the service would be confirmed by calling the call center soon. He said the work of Assistant Commissioner (Land), Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Settlement Office, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) and Land Revenue Judicial Court is underway across the country. Judicial services will reach the doorsteps of the people more easily if online hearings are introduced in the judicial activities of all these land revenue courts. It was informed at the function that for online hearing of land-related cases, one has to go to the website of the Ministry of Land and register with the national identity card, date of birth, mobile and email address. After registration, a verification code will be sent to the mobile phone. Citizens will then be able to see the details of his case. They will request a hearing with the necessary information. If the application for a hearing is accepted, the applicant will be informed by mail. A zoom link will be provided on the day of the hearing. By clicking on that link, the applicant can take part in the online hearing. Land Appeal Board Chairman Md. Mashiur Rahman, Land Reform Board Chairman Md. Mostafa Kamal, Director General of Land Records and Survey Department Md. Taslimul Islam NDC, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Land Pradeep Kumar Das and Muhammad Salehuddin were present at the inaugural session among others. Besides, all the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Bangladesh and local stakeholders participated in the inaugural function through video conferencing. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Chapainawabganj and the President of Chapainawabganj District Bar Association expressed their hope about the positive impact of the online hearing in the land court at the field level.