United News of Bangladesh

For decades land-related services in Bangladesh have been synonymous with long queues, opaque procedures and the pervasive influence of middlemen. From mutation delays to disputes over records, the system has often tested citizens’ patience and at times their finances. Now, the Ministry of Land is attempting a major reset. Through a comprehensive “Digitalised Land Management” initiative, the government is rolling out a series of reforms aimed at simplifying land services, ensuring transparency and making the system more citizen-friendly. At the heart of this transformation is the digitisation of the mutation process — a crucial step in updating land ownership records. Citizens can now apply for mutation through the land.gov.bd portal and track the status of their applications in real time, eliminating the need for repeated visits to land offices. Officials told UNB that the changes are designed to reduce human intervention, long considered a key source of delays and irregularities. A strict 28-day deadline has been introduced for completing mutation applications. Failure to meet this timeline without valid justification could lead to accountability measures against the responsible officials — a move that signals a shift towards time-bound public service delivery. To further enhance transparency, digital Khatiyans (Records of Rights) with QR codes are now being issued. These can be verified instantly online, reducing the risk of forgery and disputes over authenticity. The reforms also extend to financial transactions. Mutation fees can now be paid through Mobile Financial Services (MFS), making the process cashless. Officials said this will significantly curb opportunities for bribery at the local level. “Cash transactions with land offices have long been a source of harassment. Going digital effectively closes that door,” said a senior ministry official. Besides, once a mutation is completed, land holdings are generated automatically, while corrections to Khatiyans are processed through the system with minimal manual handling. Applicants are kept informed through automated SMS updates — a small but significant step towards improving user experience. The digital push is not limited to records and transactions. The government has launched the Bangladesh Digital Survey (BDS) using drones and advanced technology to create accurate land maps. Officials expect this to reduce boundary disputes — one of the most common triggers of litigation. Land disputes remain a major burden on Bangladesh’s judicial system. Around 80 percent of all civil and criminal cases are land-related. Nearly one in seven households — roughly four million families — is entangled in such disputes, many of which drag on for years, even decades. By improving accuracy in land records and mapping, authorities hope to address the root causes of these conflicts. Access to land information is also being expanded. Citizens can now view Khatiyans for any mouza online and request certified copies via post for a fixed fee, bypassing brokers who have traditionally dominated the process. However, officials acknowledge that not all citizens are digitally equipped. To bridge this gap, the government has introduced the “Land Service Support Guidelines 2025,” paving the way for around 900 private-sector-led service centres across the country. These centres assist people in filing digital applications for a nominal charge. Accountability mechanisms are also being strengthened. Under the “Land Service Complaint Management Guidelines 2026,” citizens can file complaints online or seek assistance through a 24/7 hotline. A dedicated Citizen Service Centre has already been set up at Bhumi Bhaban in Tejgaon, with plans to expand similar facilities nationwide. Despite the ambitious scope of the reforms, challenges remain — from ensuring digital literacy to maintaining system integrity across rural areas. Yet, for many citizens long frustrated by the complexities of land administration the shift signals hope. Jahanara Begum, a widow and a resident of Shantibagh, said, “I had to visit the land office more than 7/8 times for mutation purposes but my file did not move until I sought help from an influential person.” “I have seen how ordinary people suffer there. I hope digitisation will help ease public suffering,” she added. The government’s stated goal is clear: to build a system where land services are accessible, efficient and free from harassment and where the role of middlemen is reduced to zero. Whether this digital transformation can fully deliver on that promise will depend on its implementation. But for now, it marks a significant step towards modernising one of the country’s most problematic public service sectors.