Stop bribery in land offices

The Land Office is one of the most important public institutions for ordinary citizens, as a large portion of the population relies on land-related services. People visit land offices for mutation of land ownership, correction of records, collection of land records (porcha), and payment of land revenue (dakhila). Unfortunately, this vital institution has become widely known as a hub of bribery and corruption.

Citizens seeking services are often harassed on various pretexts. Files are delayed, unnecessary objections are raised and applicants are repeatedly sent back for trivial or fabricated mistakes. Behind these tactics, demands for bribes are frequently made. Work stalls until illegal payments are made, creating a disgraceful culture of corruption.

The worst victims are the poor and uneducated. Many who buy land with their lifetime savings are forced to make repeated visits to complete mutation procedures, often paying bribes against their will. This not only causes financial hardship but also erodes public trust in the state and its administration.

Administrative weaknesses and lack of accountability are major reasons behind this problem. Some officials exploit citizens' ignorance by delaying services, withholding files, or repeatedly returning applications on irrelevant grounds. Digital systems introduced by the government to simplify land services have yet to fully deliver, as dishonest officials continue to extract money illegally.

Bribery in land offices is not only a legal offence but also a grave social injustice. Strict monitoring, regular audits and swift punishment for proven corruption are urgently needed. Citizens must also have an easy and safe mechanism to lodge complaints, and public awareness campaigns should encourage legal, bribe-free access to services.

It is time to transform land offices into transparent, people-friendly, and corruption-free institutions.

Mohammad Jahangir Islam

Student, University of Rajshahi