Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said the government wants to build a modern, technology-based and citizen-friendly land management system so that people no longer have to suffer harassment or make unnecessary visits to government offices for land services, reports UNB.
"There is no alternative to a transparent, accountable and people-friendly land management system for building a just and modern state," he said while inaugurating the three-day nationwide "Land Service Fair-2026."
The Prime Minister also said providing services for citizens is not an act of charity but a responsibility of the state.
"Our goal is to build a land management system where people will no longer have to go from office to office unnecessarily to receive land services, nor will they have to suffer from corruption or harassment," he said.
Tarique Rahman also said the government aims to establish a corruption-free, harassment-free, technology-driven and citizen-friendly land management system that will further accelerate the country's sustainable development.
He inaugurated the fair by pressing a button at the Land Building at Tejgaon at 11:05am. The fair is being held simultaneously in districts and upazilas across the country from May 19 to 21.
Speaking at the programme, the Prime Minister said land is not just a piece of property but also a source of security, economic stability and future certainty for people.
He said land-related disputes, court cases and complications have increased over the years due to population growth and shrinking land availability.
Referring to the government’s digitalisation efforts, Tarique Rahman said people are now getting opportunities to complete many land-related services online from home, including payment of land development tax and e-mutation applications.
He also mentioned that 893 land service assistance centres have already been launched in 61 districts under private management to help citizens who are unable to access online services on their own.
The Prime Minister said the government plans to gradually establish such centres in every union across the country.
A mobile app named 'Bhumi' has also been introduced to bring land services to people’s doorsteps, he added.
Tarique Rahman said modernising land management and introducing more technology-based services will help reduce land disputes and the suffering of citizens, while also limiting the influence of middlemen in land offices.
He said the Ministry of Land is working to prepare accurate land records through digital surveys and modern technology. "Efforts are also underway to bring almost all land administration services under digital platforms for faster and easier public access."
The Prime Minister said the BNP had pledged in its 31-point reform plan and election manifesto to modernise land management and organise land service fairs across the country.
"Through this fair, the government has fulfilled another commitment made to the people," he said.
Tarique Rahman also stressed the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation, arbitration and conciliation, to settle land disputes quickly and reduce pressure on courts.
Quoting physicist Albert Einstein, he said: "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding."
The Prime Minister urged officials and employees of the Land Ministry to ensure citizen-friendly services and remain accountable to the people.
During the fair, citizens will receive services, including e-mutation applications, online land development tax payment, record correction, certified copies of khatians and land-related complaint support.
END/UNB/ASA
