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.
“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.
"I would like to draw the attention of the minister of the Land Ministry and all officials and employees concerned that providing services is not a favour to the people; rather, ensuring public service is our duty. 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 “Bhumi Bhaban” at Tejgaon. The fair is being held simultaneously in districts and upazilas across the country from May 19 to 21.
The Prime Minister described land not merely as a property but as a source of security, economic stability, livelihood and future certainty for people. “From this realisation, the present government is working to deliver state services at people’s doorsteps with a commitment to making land management free from harassment and corruption.”
Referring to the growing pressure on land resources, he said the amount of per capita land is decreasing due to population growth, while the economic value of land is increasing rapidly.
“As a result, land disputes, lawsuits and complications are also increasing. In many cases, these disputes are destroying peace in individuals and families and are also creating obstacles to national development activities,” Tarique Rahman said.
In this context, he stressed the importance of planned land use, accurate record preservation and efficient management.
At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s initiatives to simplify land-related services through digitalisation.
Narrating the government’s digitalisation efforts, he 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.
Tarique Rahman said people previously had to visit land offices physically for matters related to ownership, khajna, deeds, khatian, mutation, mouza records and surveys, including CS, RS and DS.
“With technological advancement, land management has also become modernised. Service recipients can now complete land-related processes online from home,” he said.
For those unable to use online systems independently, the Prime Minister said, the government has introduced land service assistance centres.
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.
Tarique Rahman said the government plans to gradually establish such centres in every union across the country.
He also mentioned the launch of the mobile app “Bhumi” to bring land services directly into the hands of citizens.
The Prime Minister 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 also said the ongoing land fair will help increase public awareness regarding modern land management systems and citizens’ responsibilities.
Tarique Rahman 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.”
He 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.