Home
+
Published : 19 May 2026, 01:32 PM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman says the government’s goal is to establish a technology-driven and citizen-friendly land management system in Bangladesh.
At the inauguration of the Land Service Fair-2026 at the Bhumi Bhaban auditorium in Dhaka’s Tejgaon on Tuesday, he said providing services to people is not an act of charity but a responsibility of the state.
He added that his administration seeks “a corruption-free and hassle-free” system to accelerate sustainable development.
On the fair, he said people across all districts and Upazilas would benefit from the three-day event, which offers services including e-mutation, online land development tax payment, record correction, obtaining Khatians (land record document), and resolution of land-related complaints.
The premier shared his pride in joining the event, asserting that transparent and accountable management is vital for a modern, just state.
The opening was attended by several cabinet members, including Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain, Agriculture Minister Amin Ur Rashid Yasin, and Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, alongside other senior officials and lawmakers.
Following the ceremony, the prime minister toured different stalls at the fair.
‘Efficient’ Management
According to Tarique, per capita land is shrinking as the population grows, driving up land values and fuelling disputes, lawsuits, and complications that are disrupting both family life and national development.
"Planned land use, accurate record-keeping, and efficient management are now an indispensable demand of the times," he added.
He said the land ministry is using advanced technology to conduct surveys and prepare accurate land records, while bringing almost all land administration services onto digital platforms to make them faster and more accessible.
"Our goal is a land management system where people no longer have to run from office to office, or fall victim to corruption and harassment.”
‘Govt Moving to Fulfil Election Pledges’
The prime minister noted that the government is moving forward to fulfil its election pledges.
He mentioned that the nationwide fair aligns with the 31-point agenda and the recent election manifesto aimed at modernising land affairs.
He said the government has been working since its first week in office to implement each point of its manifesto and the July Charter, adding that people who had suffered under more than one and a half decades of what he called “fascist rule” now want to see their rights reflected in governance.
Pending Cases
Tarique said more than 4.7 million civil and criminal cases are pending across courts at different levels, with land disputes making up the bulk.
He called for faster resolution of these cases and urged greater use of village courts, mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms outside the formal court system.
Quoting Albert Einstein, he said peace could not be maintained through force but through understanding, adding that mediation, arbitration and compromise could help reduce case backlogs and settle disputes more quickly.
Citizen Service
At the beginning of his speech, the prime minister said citizens earlier had to visit land offices, but most services can now be completed online.
Land service assistance centres have been introduced for those unable to use digital platforms on their own.
He said 893 land service assistance centres are currently operating across 61 districts under private entrepreneurs, enabling citizens to apply for services and pay government fees at fixed charges.
Tarique added that the government plans to expand such centres to every union in phases.
A mobile application titled “Bhumi” has also been launched to bring land services directly to citizens’ fingertips.
Modern System to 'Ease Disputes'
The prime minister said land disputes become easier to resolve as land management becomes more modern and technology-driven, adding that online services would help reduce public hardship.
He said digitisation would also reduce the role of intermediaries in land offices, while the ongoing land fair would raise public awareness about modern land administration and citizen responsibilities.
