Staff Correspondent

Dhaka District Commissioner (DC) Farida Khanum has issued strict directives to field-level officials, instructing them to ensure that no citizen falls victim to harassment, irregularities, corruption, or the menace of middlemen (dalals) while seeking land services.

She gave these directives on Tuesday while presiding over an exchange meeting with Assistant Commissioners (Land), Union Land Assistant Officers, and Union Land Sub-Assistant Officers at the conference room of the district administration.

Emphasizing that reducing public suffering and ensuring transparent, prompt land services remain top priorities for the administration, DC Farida Khanum said, "A citizen comes to a land office to receive services from the state, not from any individual. Therefore, providing them with proper service is the official duty and moral responsibility of government servants. No form of negligence, irregularity, or harassment in land services will be tolerated."

She instructed officials to be present at their offices punctually and promptly initiate service delivery, directing them to settle land-related matters such as name-transfer (namjari), khatian, and mutation within stipulated timeframes.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the District Commissioner warned that there is no room for bribery, extortion, holding up files, unnecessary delays, or providing services through middlemen. She asserted that strict legal and administrative action will be taken against anyone found guilty of such offenses.

Ordering the land offices to be completely rid of middlemen, she stressed that citizens must be served through direct and transparent procedures. Clear information regarding required documents, government fees, and service delivery deadlines must be displayed and communicated openly.

Highlighting the importance of humane behavior toward citizens, Farida Khanum noted that for an ordinary person, their land is often the most vital asset of their life. "No citizen should return home insulted or harassed after visiting a land office," she added.

 During the meeting, it was revealed that in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the total demand for general land development tax in Dhaka district stood at Tk 84,70,72,280. Against this target, the administration collected Tk 93,68,40,786, which is 110.6 percent of the total demand.

Additionally, Tk 26,11,11,160 was collected as land development tax from institutional bodies, alongside Tk 8,76,86,125 collected as lease money from vested properties.

Expressing gratitude and thanking the Assistant Commissioners (Land), tahsildars, and field-level officials for this remarkable achievement in revenue collection, the District Commissioner remarked that the success reflects their dedication, sincerity, and responsibility.

"Our goal is not merely to dispose of files, but to solve people's problems," she concluded. "We must ensure that the public receives land services in a transparent and easy manner without the interference of middlemen, returning home satisfied and free of harassment."

The meeting also featured comprehensive discussions on land management, revenue collection, the simplification of land services, and the mitigation of public suffering.