Third-party manipulation mars smartness

Hideous circles of third-party dealings surrounding land offices mar much of the smartness of a new, smart land-management system in Bangladesh, service-seekers say and a fragrant evidence is not too far.
In Savar, close by the capital, government's smart- service initiative meant for streamlining land management looks perverted and people subjected to exploitation in no less degree than before. As citizens strive to fulfil their civic duties, a disturbing nexus between a computer store and a union land office has come to light, exposing collaboration that coerces individuals into paying extras for essential services.
The promises of efficiency through online platforms are allegedly subverted into stark reality.
In their pursuit of contributing to the nation's development through fulfilling their civic duties, people attempting to pay their land taxes often find themselves entangled in distressing situations. They have to face persistent harassment and are coerced into paying sops to intermediaries and officials within the land offices, spot investigations provide the indication.
An investigation by this FE correspondent uncovers tales wherein a purported ally in the digitisation process manipulates the system for personal gain, leaving service-seekers entangled in a web of illicit transactions in Savar.
Savar is no exception-this correspondent has also received allegations of bribery and harassment indicating that similar challenges persist in other parts of the country, too. However, an investigation into these allegations could not be initiated at this time.
On October 28, 2020, the Ministry of Land launched the 'Online Based Land Development Tax Management Software Piloting (1st Phase)' programme, marking the introduction of the online land-tax service. To utilise this service, individuals must first register online. Once the registration is approved, taxes can be paid conveniently through a mobile app or website, eliminating the need for service- seekers to visit the land office in person. The entire tax-collection process has transitioned to an online system, eliminating cash transactions at land offices. However, residents of the three hill districts, namely Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari, need to wait their turn yet to access this service.
Delving into how individuals are struggling to meet their obligations in paying land taxes, which is essential for development of the nation, gross irregularities have surfaced.
In the precincts of Savar's Fulbaria Union Land Office, a nexus of corrupt practice has come to light. A sinister collaboration between Alif Islam Riaz's computer store and an insider, Sujan, a staff at the Union Land Office, was found. The deep-seated hub appears to have turned into a breeding ground for illicit transactions, leaving unsuspecting service-seekers to the mercy of a network.
This spot check on November 6, 2023 revealed a troubling tale of exploitation where Riaz, under the guise of supporting digital land services, colludes with Sujan to manipulate the system for personal gain. The duo allegedly amasses substantial amounts of ill-gotten money, which is rumoured to be distributed among complicit ones within the Union Land Office.
People attempting to address land-related matters find themselves ensnared in this unholy web. This correspondent attempted to pay land tax on behalf of Nurul Huq and Nizamul Huq at Riaz's store, only to discover that hurdles were deliberately placed in the process. It seems one cannot take services directly from the land office if any discrepancy in land records arises - a deliberate ploy to redirect individuals to Riaz's store.
Nurul Huq, residing in Saudi Arabia, faced problem for lack of a NID, while Nizamul Huq encountered technical issues preventing tax payment despite having both passport and NID. Seeking a solution, this correspondent approached the Fulbaria Union Land Sub-Assistant Officer, only to be redirected to a helpline number. Frustrated and desperate for a solution, he turned to Riaz.
What unfolded next was that Riaz, after consulting the land office, demanded Tk 5,000 for each case to resolve the issues. A recorded conversation serves as irrefutable proof of this illicit transaction. Further investigation also exposed Riaz's frequent visits to the Union Land Office for exchanging various documents.
Land Office's laptop utilised by a third-party service provider raises questions about security and accountability in this important sector of land, believed the origin of most civil as well as criminal cases in Bangladesh.
On October 12, 2023, this correspondent visited the Fulbaria Union Land office to pay land tax on behalf of Bilkis Akter, Umme Ruman, and Nurul Haque. The plan included a visit to Riaz Computer Store, known for providing digital services to service-seekers, where he handed over the necessary documents to Mahim Roni, one of the employees at the shop, to create profiles for the above-mentioned individuals to pay taxes. However, an unexpected hurdle arose as the laptop was found to be malfunctioning.
Upon questioning the store's employees about the malfunctioning laptop, Mahim Roni revealed that the laptop belonged to the land office, and they were unable to fix it without the office's support. This revelation raises concerns about the reliance on third-party services and the potential security implications associated with using external vendors for essential tasks.
A follow-up visit on November 6, 2023 revealed that the laptop issue had supposedly been resolved by Riaz's employees. This suggests a lack of transparency and accountability in the management of crucial office equipment. An Assistant Commissioner of Land in Dhaka was approached for his view regarding the permissibility of a third party utilising the sensitive device outside the designated office. The AC (Land) emphatically stated that it is "unacceptable for anyone, particularly a broker, to be using the laptop".
A video recording documenting the initial laptop malfunction and the subsequent claim of resolution has been preserved, highlighting the need for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the use of the land office's laptop by a third-party service provider
On December 18th, Md. Zahangir Alom, Union Land Assistant Officer (ULAO), stated, "We accept mutation applications when filed."
About land- tax payment, he said, "When individuals apply to pay taxes, we readily accept their applications. For those seeking services at our offices, we encourage them to apply online."
Mr Alom observed that some citizens are opting for services at the government's digital centre.
Under the a2i (Access to Information) programme, the government has established 8,280 digital centres nationwide.
However, when questioned about a significant number of people still visiting the Union Land Office for tax payment, he expressed confusion and abruptly ended the phone call during further inquiry. And several phone calls thereafter received no response.
S. M. Rasel Islam Nur, AC (Land), Upazila Land Office, Savar, made it clear that the laptop cannot be used by anyone outside the Fulbaria Union Land Office. "Only officials can use the laptop within the concerned office. It is not supposed to be used by outsiders".
Mr Rasel asked for sending him the evidence regarding the laptop and he would then scrutinise the matter.
Regarding the bribe concerning land tax at the Union Land Office, he posed a question why service- recipients come to the land office to pay tax when one can pay tax from home by opening their respective holding number.
"Not only tax, one can also perform the mutation process from their respective home online," Nur argued.
The AC (Land) told this correspondent and others to visit his office with any issues such as tax or mutation, assuring that he would serve all of them without any hassle or harassment.
Meanwhile, another victim, 59-year-old Ayesha Rahman, with his 65-year-old brother Amzad Hossain Dulal came to the Upazila Land Office, Savar, on October 22 to pay annual land tax, as her mother died four years back.
Their elder brother could not pay the tax due to his old-age ailment. So they both came to the office to do their citizen responsibility. However, their good gesture was soured as the official concerned told them to go to the settlement office at Hemayetpur to upgrade a Khatian (records).
They went to the office, but concerned officials at the settlement office asked them to communicate with the Upazila Land Office as they upgraded the khatian online.
Incidentally, this reporter encountered them in front of the land office. They said, "We are just shuttling between offices to pay the land tax."
Even after they returned from the settlement office, a surveyor and deed-writer, giving them a visiting card, told them he would take care of their service but some remuneration will be needed.
Tired and vexed by such harassment, they went back home, without having any service from the land office.

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