Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury has expressed hope that the ‘Bangladesh Digital Survey’ launched in Patuakhali and Barguna will be the latest land survey in Bangladesh. The land minister expressed such hope at the inaugural function of land services by post, digital payment in land services and land services through call center at Bhumi Bhaban auditorium in Tejgaon on Wednesday.
It was informed on the occasion that from now on the land owner can apply for the ledger and map by calling 16122. In addition, landowners will be able to pay ledger and namazari (mutation) fees and land development tax online. At the same time, one can take Khatian (pamphlet)/land map to one’s address by post.
The services launched today will reduce the chances of abuse of power by the concerned government employees and integrate with e-leaflets, e-registration, LD tax system, virtual hearing system. In addition, the opportunity to deposit instant fees in the government treasury through mobile financial services and the opportunity to collect DCR online without going to the land office has been created. This will greatly reduce the cost and suffering of the people.
Maqbool Hossain, MP, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Land Ministry was present as special guests at the inaugural function. Md. Khalilur Rahman, Secretary, Department of Posts and Telecommunications, Former Chief Secretary of Land Management Domain Specialist of Land Management Automation Project Md. Abul Kalam Azad were also present in the program. Secretary of Land Ministry Md. Mostafizur Rahman PAA presided over the inaugural function.
In his speech, the Land Minister said that with the complete digitalization of land management, once the ‘Bangladesh Digital Survey’ is completed across the country, there will be no need for land survey (Cadastral Survey) except for new land or newly formed chars. The ledgers and maps will be prepared automatically by changing the land, so that the people of the country will be protected from the harassment of surveys for ages.
Mentioning that the Ministry of Land has received the UN Public Service Medal under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Land Minister said that it has proved that the Ministry of Land is one of the developed and dynamic ministries of the government today.
Mentioning that the Prime Minister has given him an important responsibility, the Land Minister further said that he is trying to work with the vow of brightening the image of the country and serving the people. He said that land is deeply involved in human life. His aim is to reach the land services to doorsteps of the people.
Apart from digitization of land services, laws and rules are being amended, said the land minister. He further said that under the Hat and Bazar Act, development work will be done in the lands jointly with the local municipality.
The chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on land ministry said he was aware that the land ministry was implementing the 2009 government’s commitment on land reform.
The land secretary said that 34 million holding entries have already been made. About 1.5 crore people have registered online to collect Tk 12 crore as land development tax. 1 lakh 39 thousand mouza map digitization initiatives have been taken. Besides, 5 crore 12 lakh data have been entered in the digital record management system. Digital mouza maps and proprietary information will be assimilated.
At today’s opening ceremony, two citizens received direct land services. One called 16122 and the other applied for land mouza map through Khatian and UDC. On the occasion, the head of the land service digitization monitoring cell of the land ministry, Dr. Md. Zahid Hossain Panir, PAA presented a documentary on Bangabandhu’s land reform on screen at the event.
The inaugural function was attended by members of Parliament and members of the Standing Committee on the Ministry of Land, the Department of Posts and Telecommunications and its affiliated agencies, development partners of land digitization activities, dignitaries, media personnel and other stakeholders.