Since its inauguration in 2021, land development tax of Tk. 375 crore has been collected so far. This information was conveyed in the press release of the Ministry of Lands on Thursday (February 16).
According to the Ministry, since the inaugurations on September 8, 2021, till now only taka 375 crores of land development tax has been collected online. Manual collection of land development tax will be stopped from April 14. In that case land development tax can be paid online only.
In a coordination meeting with departmental commissioners in this regard on Thursday the Land Secretary Md. Mostafizur Rahman said that the government’s revenue collection will increase significantly if the collection of 100% ‘online land development tax’ (LD tax/land rent) starts from next Pahela Baisakh.
At this time, the secretary urged the divisional commissioners to take necessary measures to encourage the payment of land development tax online at the local level. At the same time, the land secretary directed the divisional commissioners to take firm action regarding the data entry of old names at the field level.
Mostafizur Rahman also said that good feedback is being received from the civic land services center set up experimentally at Bhumi Bhaban located in Tejgaon of the capital. This service will be expanded to the district level gradually. Initiatives will be taken to provide land services to the citizens by appointing district based agents. That is why private agency policy is being made. In addition to call center 16122, citizens can go directly to these service centers to receive land services. CC cameras will be installed to monitor private agent activities and upazila and district wise citizen committees will be formed.
In the pictorial exhibition displayed at the meeting, it can be seen that Barisal is the most advanced in the use of land service kiosks experimentally installed in the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Kiosks will be installed in various populated areas such as stations, malls, office complexes etc. in phases. Citizens can print the required application and land certificate by paying the required fee.
Online land development tax, digital record room, inter-district land dispute, construction of land office, recruitment of manpower etc. were discussed in the coordination meeting.