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.    

Acknowledging the suffering of general people due to rice price hike, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin has said that the government cut a 60 percent duty on rice import to keep the local market stable. He said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with his Turkey counterpart Prof Dr Ömer Bolat at the Secretariat on Thursday. Asked about the preparedness ahead of the Ramadan to keep commodities at tolerable levels, he said, “We are prepared overall with the Ramadan and taking several initiatives on the rice market at this moment. We are relaxing the import while the duty on rice import was about 63 percent; we have reduced it to 3 percent.” The Ministry of Food has been importing several lakh tonnes of rice from India, Pakistan and Myanmar, said the adviser. Bashir Uddin assured that there would be no crisis of rice till April as a full season of Aman was going on now. There has been no inconsistency of any product so far. Read: Government aims to stabilize rice market, ensure trader support: Commerce Adviser Seeking cooperation from the reporters to take actions against syndicates who manipulate the rice market, he said that there was no crisis of the rice market now but the rice price hiked slightly due to the weather, flood and other issues. Warning of strict action against the manipulators, he hoped that the rice market would be stable soon. He said distribution of rice to 63 lakh families who hold TCB smart cards would begin this week and 50 lakh families would also get rice at lower price under the Food-friendly Programme. Replying to a query, adviser Bashir Uddin said they scrapped 37 lakh smart cards due to corruption as one more member from the same family managed cards through forgery. Read more: Government to import rice, LNG to meet domestic demand "We want to add another 37 lakh cards. If it’s possible to increase it from one crore by bringing transparency in procurement and marketing, we will do that too,” he said.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has assured that the interim government is committed to alleviating public suffering through proactive measures. “Marking Victory Day, the government has introduced a new commuter train service on the Dhaka-Joydebpur-Dhaka route. This initiative aims to provide an affordable and efficient travel option between Dhaka and Gazipur,” he said on Sunday. Adviser Fouzul made the remarks during the inauguration of four pairs of commuter trains on the Dhaka-Joydebpur route, alongside the launch of an air-conditioned BRTC bus service operating on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Shibbari to Airport and Gulistan. Karnaphuli Tunnel a wasted investment: Adviser Fouzul Fouzul Kabir, who also serves as Adviser to the Ministry of Railways, revealed that additional commuter train services are being planned for the Dhaka-Narsingdi-Dhaka and Dhaka-Narayanganj-Dhaka routes. These services are expected to commence ahead of Independence Day on March 26. Highlighting broader goals, he called for collective action to create a discrimination-free and corruption-free Bangladesh. “Transparency and accountability must be maintained in all institutions, whether public or private.” New commuter train service launched on Dhaka-Gazipur route Fouzul kabir also drew attention to pedestrian safety, urging both the public and authorities to remain vigilant in preventing accidents. He hoped that the remaining work on the BRT project, which aims to streamline transportation and reduce travel-related inconveniences, will complete soon.  

DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) urged the political parties to hold their programmes without causing public suffering as they may be forced to ban political rallies in future if those  become reasons of people’s woes. A total of nine political parties including Awami League and BNP have sent letters to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) seeking permission to hold rallies in the capital on July 27 but few parties will be allowed, said the DMP chief. DMP has no such objection to BNP’s marches in capital on July 18, 19: Anee “To hold political rallies is a democratic right of the political parties but it is the responsibility of the DMP to ensure the security of the people,” he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the overall security measures on the occasion of Holy Ashura over the Tajia procession.He also urged the political parties to plan their programmes on weekly holidays in future instead of working days considering the public suffering.Besides, carrying of sticks and bags in the rallies will be prohibited, he said. Drive to continue till Dhaka free from mugging: DMP CommissionerReferring to the Tajia procession, the DMP chief said police have been giving importance to security during Tajia procession since the 2015 explosion at a Tajia procession. Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP CommissionerThe Imambara Hoseni Dalan area will be brought under CCTV surveillance and alongside the law enforcement agencies, plainclothes police will be deployed in the area to ensure foolproof security.Besides, dog squad will be active in the area so that no untoward incident can happen, he said.

Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday (July 23, 2023) warned that action will be taken if anyone tries to break law and create public suffering. “It is quite normal that action will be taken against those who don’t abide by law, and create public suffering,” he said while speaking at a programme on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (Crab) at Dhaka Reporters Unity. Will investigate if any police negligence led to assault on Hero Alom: Home Minister Regarding arrest of BNP leaders and activists, he said those BNP leaders and activists have been arrested who were warranted in different cases. People are not interested to see BNP in power and that’s why they failed to come to power, he said.Referring to BNP’s political programmes, Asaduzzaman said police do not create any obstacle to their programmes anywhere. US wants to see a free, fair, and violence-free election: Home Minister Replying to a question about the death of an activist of BNP in Laxmipur, the Home minister said “After talking to the law enforcers and local administration it was known that the slain person was not an activist of BNP, and the person died due to previous enmity between two groups.” Cyber teams working on leaked  NID info: Home Minister 

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (March 11, 2023) asked the business community leaders to find ways to bring commodity prices to a normal level.  “Considering public suffering, the business community leaders will have to find ways to bring prices of essentials to a normal level. Otherwise, you will lose your markets,” she said. The premier said this while inaugurating Bangladesh Business Summit-2023 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), in partnership with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commerce Ministry and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), is arranging the three-day summit. Read More: If people don’t buy in excess, there will be no price hike of essentials ahead of Ramadan: Tipu Munshi Sheikh Hasina said people are going through a very difficult time due to high prices of essentials and inflationary pressure. She said developing countries like Bangladesh as well as developed countries are facing severe problems due to price hike of essentials and high inflation caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, economic sanctions and counter-sanctions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Ministers from seven countries including the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates, CEOs of 12 multinational companies, and more than 200 foreign investors and business leaders from 17 countries are participating in the business summit. Read more: 'Business Summit to help brand Bangladesh's identity, manufacturing prowess to foreign investors' Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, PM's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Saudi Arabian Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-kassabi, Bhutanese Minister of Commerce and Employment Karma Dorjia and Deputy Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Xiangchen Zhang spoke at the opening function, while FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin delivered the welcome speech. The Business Summit is being organized as a part of the FBCCI's 50th founding anniversary celebrations with the aim of creating new opportunities for trade and investment by showcasing the country's economic potential before a global audience. The Business Summit will showcase dynamic investment opportunities and improvements to the local business climate while also giving insights into investment priorities of global investors to improve policymaking. Read more: PM to inaugurate Bangladesh Business Summit on Saturday

Issuing a note of warning, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said public suffering and anarchy centering the BNP’s mass-sit-in programme in the city will not be tolerated. “BNP won’t face any obstruction if they hold their programme peacefully.  If their programme becomes reason of public suffering then it won’t be tolerated,” he said while talking to reporters after inaugurating a Mujib Corner at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) headquarters. The government did not create any obstructions to BNP’s programmes  but the party resorted to violence in their previous programmes, he said adding “The law enforcers  will resist them if they block roads and carry out vandalism and destructive activities in the name of mass sit-in programme.” Also Read: Will act against those trying to create anarchy: Home Minister Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan and high official concerned were present. Earlier, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced  mass sit-in programmes in all divisional cities of the country on January 11.  The party will organise the sit-in programme in Dhaka in front of its central office at Nayapaltan.    

BNP on Wednesday alleged that the weeklong lockdown, enforced by the government, is only causing public sufferings instead of yielding any positive outcome to contain Covid transmission due to mismanagement. "The reality is that neither lockdown nor the restrictions are being implemented at the field level due to mismanagement of the government,” said BNP acting office secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said people remain at a high risk of coronavirus infection because of the government’s contradictory moves. “Everything is in a mess everywhere, putting people in limitless troubles.” The BNP leader also alleged that the government has enforced the lockdown without any prior preparation. He said long traffic jams on roads and highways are the proof that the lockdown has been ineffective. “People are waiting in long queues for transports at different places in the city. Basically, everything is going on as before.” Read: No step in sight to tackle Covid transmission: BNP The BNP leader said the government’s policy makers took such a decision of enforcing a lockdown sitting in air-conditioned rooms without proper planning as they do not need to think about salary utility bills and money for managing food. “But people have to ensure sufferings as a result of this unplanned and unprepared move.” Prince, also a BNP organising secretary, said the government's response to tackling the second wave of coronavirus is uncoordinated, unplanned, shortsighted and irrational as happened last year. “This time the government got a lot of time. But due to lack of prior preparation, the situation turned chaotic as it was last year.” He also said corona-infected people are struggling to receive treatment for lack of sufficient vacant seats, ICUs, ventilators and oxygen supply at the hospitals in the cities and different district towns. "Patients with corona infections are dying on the streets as they are running from one hospital to another for treatment. “The government has to shoulder the responsibility for this,” the BNP leader said. Prince demanded the government take effective steps to ensure adequate healthcare facilities, ICUs, ventilators and oxygen at hospitals and conduct free Covid tests.