Since November last year, land services across the country, including in the capital, have been in a state of turmoil, leaving citizens unable to complete basic tasks like land registration or tax payments. Despite repeated visits to land offices, registration processes remain stalled, with taxpayers unable to pay their dues. The necessary records, including the Record of Rights and DCR, are also unavailable. Authorities have attributed the disruptions to persistent "server errors."
The halt in land registration activities has sparked widespread frustration, with many citizens blaming the government for the ongoing crisis. Some critics have even suggested that certain factions may be deliberately exacerbating public suffering in an attempt to undermine the government’s standing. In response, the concerned ministry has repeatedly expressed regret over the difficulties faced by the public but has refrained from taking direct responsibility for the situation.
Compounding the issue, the government has increased VAT on numerous goods and services as part of efforts to address a budget deficit. However, the inability of citizens to pay their land taxes is further straining government revenue, fueling anti-government sentiment among the public. Many are questioning whether there is another "government within the government" working to create turmoil.
Visiting various land offices, it was found that people are unable to sell their land to send their children abroad, get their daughters married, or even for urgent medical needs. Due to the suspension of land registration and tax collection nothing is happening.
The sufferers said that there is an obligation to pay the updated tax in the deed registration. Due to the inability to pay the tax, deed registration is also closed in many places.
Apart from this, without registering the land and paying the tax, gas, electricity, and water connections cannot be brought to that land. Bank loans cannot be taken. For the same reason, many construction works are also closed. This has caused losses to the construction industry, including rods, cement, laborers, paints, engineers, stones, tiles, electrical equipment, and other sub-sectors. All together, a 'hazardous ' situation has been created in the land services across the country.
When asked why registration and tax payment are not being done, Senior Secretary of the Land Ministry ASM Saleh Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin, “There was some problem last December-January. There is no problem now. However, the server is being updated. If there is still any problem, it will not be there from next March.”
When asked about the suspension of registration and rent payment in different areas of the capital, the senior secretary said, “We have suspended the registration of RAJUK plots in Purbachal area. RAJUK has given plots, but there are some irregularities, there are mistakes in the accounts. We are conducting a digital survey. We are taking initiatives to bring everything into one system within the next one year.”
Asked if there are any government directives to stop collecting tax or registering land in specific areas, Land Management Automation Project Director Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain told Bangladesh Pratidin, “There are no such directives anywhere. However, there are no records of the plots of RAJUK. Therefore, the software is blocking them automatically.”
Regarding the sudden software change, he said, “To simplify land services, multiple previous manual software has been upgraded to one. This will reduce server rent. However, there are still some errors in the software. Efforts are being made to resolve these quickly. It is better now than in December. There is a plan to officially inaugurate it next March if the chief advisor gives time. We are trying to fix it before then. However, we cannot guarantee it.”
Regarding the inability of many to find land information, holding information, and slowness in the software Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain said, “30 percent of the problem is due to the software, the rest is due to the internet and others. Apart from that, there are some problems due to the use of AI methods in the software. If there is a slight error in the information, it gets stuck automatically.”
When this reporter visited the Dumni land office in the capital, many people are seen roaming around day after day to register and pay tax. Officials are sitting next to service seekers and sitting in front of computers.
Later, they are sending them back saying there is a server problem. Again, many are being sent back right from the door saying there is a server error. Since there is no work, the officials and employees are passing the time chatting.
Rehana Parveen, a cancer patient, said she will go abroad for treatment of her cancer. That is why she is trying to sell the land. But is unable to sell it because, it is unable to update the documents. She said if the government stops land services in an area, it should explain the reason and inform the people.
Bangladesh Pratidin's reports from various areas including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Barisal, Bogura, Natore, Meherpur, Habiganj, Gopalganj, Cox's Bazar, Chuadanga, Bagerhat, Kutubdia, have revealed a similar situation of land services across the country.
Hasanul Maruf of Meherpur city said, “I have been going around to pay land rent for three months. Even though I paid rent before, currently no information about my land can be found on the server. They cannot even say when my information will be added."
Meherpur Assistant Commissioner (Land) Gazi Muayidur Rahman said, "It is difficult for us to say the technical reason for the server problem. Only a technical person can say the reason for this problem."
Manimohan, a resident of Sadar Union in Dumuria Upazila of Khulna, applied for name transfer three months ago. The mutation has not been done yet due to server complications. More than 2,000 mutations are pending at the Dumuria Land Office due to server complications.
Land tax collection in Barishal has dropped by at least 80 percent due to server complications. Md. Shahin Alam, assistant land officer of Charbaria Union in Sadar Upazila, said, "Only 20 percent of the rent has been collected in the last two and a half months due to server complications. In addition, those who are abroad and do not have a national identity card cannot pay rent with their passport or birth certificate. Rent cannot be paid on behalf of anyone or as a representative. If there are 10 owners in a ledger, partial rent cannot be paid. If the applicant pays the money, online submission is not available."
Nurul Kabir of Uttar Dhurung Union in Kutubdia Upazila of Cox's Bazar needs urgent money for his son's treatment. For this, he has been trying to sell the land he inherited from his father for several months. However, he could not sell it due to server problems. Kutubdia Upazila Sub-Registrar Purbasha Barua said, "Earlier, 25-30 land deeds were registered every week. In December-January, there were only two-three per week. Now it is increasing a bit."
Shamim Hossain of Batikamari in Charghat Upazila of Rajshahi, after a long effort, was able to pay his land tax online three days ago, but the payment is not showing on the land office server. Since then, he has been searching for a solution to the issue.
Alamgir Islam, a resident of Haridebpur Union in Rangpur Sadar Upazila, will sell his land to meet the expenses of his only son going abroad. He could not get the name registration done even after protesting for 15 days at the Rangpur Sadar Land Office. Therefore, he could not sell the land either. He is lost in thought about his son.
Bogura District Registrar Md. Sirajul Karim said that due to server complications, land sellers are not able to do rent and name registration properly. As a result, the government's revenue collection is decreasing due to the decrease in land deed registry. If the server complications are not resolved soon, land buyers and sellers will suffer more.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate of Bogura Sadar Land Office Palash Chandra said that various problems are being created due to server complications.
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
