Bangladesh Digital Survey-BDS will go on across the country

Lands Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury said Bangladesh Digital Survey (BDS) will go on across the country by collaborating with private organizations skilled in modern survey work. The Government considers that a joint cadastral survey (land resource survey) would be most effective and efficient and economically sound in the public interest.

While addressing a meeting following the signing ceremony (held at the same venue) of the Annual Performance Agreement (APA) for the financial year 2023-2024 with the Ministry of Lands under the government's performance management system held on Sunday (June 25, 2023) at the meeting room of Bhumi Bhaban located at Tejgaon of the capital, the Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury informed thematter. Land Secretary Md. Khalilur Rahman was present on the occasion.

The minister said that the main objective of starting Bangladesh Digital Survey (BDS) in Patuakhali was to solve the minor errors before starting the countrywide survey using new technology, so that the survey activities can be started as error-free as possible. The Land Minister expressed the hope that the government officials of the Department of Land Records and Surveys and BDS related projects and all those working in the organizations hired from the private sector to assist in the survey work will do their best to fulfill their responsibilities.

It is worth noting that, BDS carried out with the help of drones and other sophisticated technologies will take lesser time and reduce the chances of corruption. After preparing the digital map, the preparation and issuing of draft documents will also be done digitally. One of the most notable aspects of BDS is the Smart Map, from which the ownership information of the respective plot can be obtained by clicking on the map.

Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, while speaking as the chief guest at the APA agreement signing ceremony held earlier, asked the land officials to consider the words of citizen service and emphasize continuous development in land service. He asked the officials to work at the field level in line with the government's plans for the development of the country. The Land Minister advised the heads of departments/organizations present to come and work 'out-of-the-box' if necessary in 'top-down' method to meet the APA target.

The Land Secretary expressed his firm commitment to implement the activities as per the annual performance agreement by ensuring efficiency, transparency and accountability.

APA agreement signing ceremony was attended by the heads of departments/organizations under the Ministry of Lands and senior officials of the Ministry. Chairman of Land Appeal Board AKM Shamimul Haque Siddique, Chairman of Land Reforms Board Md Abu Bakar Siddique, Director General of Land Records and Survey Directorate Md. Abdul Barik, Director of Land Administration Training Center Md. Arif and Comptroller of Accounts (Revenue) Department of Accounts (Revenue) Md. Moshiur Rahman signed the APA agreement with the Ministry of Lands on behalf of their respective departments/organizations. On the other hand, the Lands Secretary signed on behalf of the Ministry of Lands.