Drifting like a ship sans radar at risk

A close governmental monitoring is what can only help optimal utilisation of the smart land services through identifying and addressing any corrupt practice among officials concerned, analysts say.
Widespread acceptance of irregularities within land offices appears to have created a concerning atmosphere, with indications that the situation may worsen with escalation in such malpractices, they alert as the transition drifts like a ship without a radar.
To safeguard interests of the people, the government ought to implement stringent measures to curb these irregularities found during spot checks. Upholding transparency and accountability within land offices is felt not only essential for the efficacy of the e-service but also for instilling confidence in the public about the boon of latest technology.
"Corrective actions should be taken promptly to create a system that genuinely benefits the people, ensuring that the provision of land services becomes a reliable and fair process for all," says many an expert consulted during a study on the findings. Burdened by the complexities of land services, ten victims across the country, who sought the services, recently embarked on the journey to the different local land offices, seeking assistance for their diverse needs. As they shared their experiences, a common thread of frustration and disillusionment emerged.
This correspondent launched the short survey through Google form from October 20 to November 20 last to have their firsthand experiences with existing smart land services like e-mutation, land-tax development, e-map and e-khitans.
According to all the respondents in the brief survey, it became clear that each of them faced harassment during the process of availing services. The primary areas of distress were related to receiving e-mutation services, followed by issues concerning land-tax submission to government exchequer.
A unanimous view of the participants was that a syndicate has infiltrated the system, resorting to unfair practices. In the light of this, each individual reported having to pay 'bribes' to different staff members across union, upazila and circle offices.
Several of them also faced delays in taking the services, even after going through the process strewn with toils.
One of them, Abu Bakar Siddique, expressed his dismay at the lack of transparency, recounting how he felt lost amidst the bureaucratic maze. Another, Babul Barmon, echoed the sentiment, describing his encounter with irregularities that left him questioning the fairness of the system.
Advocate Sakin Md Shahidullah Sarkar has his own story to tell on what it takes to pass through the corridors of land relevant offices. The lawyer says he applied for mutation for his 4.25 decimal of land to Sadar Upazila Land Office in Mymesingh in 2023. However, he had been successful in ending the entire process of mutation only last year, which was supposed to be completed within 42 days, by paying Tk 5000 to a top notch there.
Each victim lamented the prevailing acceptance of these irregularities, a sentiment that seemed to be a societal resignation. However, they found solace in a collective call for change. They unanimously emphasised the need for the government to institute rigorous monitoring and transparent measures within land offices.
As they shared their stories, a consensus emerged: the government should identify and root out venal staffers.
They believed only through a completely fair and hassle-free system could the public truly benefit from the service. They envisioned a future where their interactions with land offices were characterised by "efficiency, honesty, and a genuine commitment to serving the people".
The collective voice of these ten sufferers echoes a plea for the government to take swift action, ensuring that the country's land services would become a beacon of transparency and reliability for all its citizens.
In an interview with this correspondent on December 14, S. M. Rasel Islam Nur, AC (Land) at the Upazila Land Office in Savar, emphasized that a significant number of service- recipients lack awareness about land-related matters. He noted that the existing land system, formulated during the British era, "is deeply ingrained and unlikely to undergo immediate changes".
In Mr Nur's view, 70 per cent of the population lacks knowledge of Information Technology (IT), leading to the creation of a middlemen group to facilitate land services for those unfamiliar with IT-related processes. Additionally, he pointed out that 80 per cent of staff members in various land offices nationwide struggle to efficiently carry out their duties due to a lack of IT proficiency.
To address this issue, Union Land Assistant Officers (ULAO) are being appointed to Union Land Offices, a development that Nur sees as beneficial to service-seekers. He mentioned the ongoing Digital Land Survey, which aims to resolve 90 per cent of land-related problems.
Mr Nur acknowledges the existence of intermediaries in nearby computer shops that causes complications but mentions government plan to permit these shops to operate with increased accountability to deter any involvement in criminal acts.
"While some reduction in suffering has been achieved," he believes, "raising awareness among the public about land-related services will lead to further alleviation of suffering and harassment in the long run."

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