Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said that the country is progressing towards eradicating corruption through systematic changes.

“This initiative is an important step towards building a Smart Bangladesh,” the minister said at a programme in Barishal on Saturday.

He further said that smart digitization of land management will protect the interests of legitimate owners.

“It will prevent illegal grabbing as well as thwart attempts to purchase land with illicitly-acquired money,” he said.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption, the minister said, “We have planned to link the NID system with land ownership management. If this initiative becomes successful, there will be a significant drop in the land-related crimes.”

He said the Ministry of Land has taken various steps to increase public awareness, which will help curb corruption to a large extent.

Special guests at the event include Anis Mahmud, director general of the Land Records and Survey Department, and Ziauddin Ahmed, additional secretary of the Ministry of Land.

Md Shawkat Ali, divisional commissioner of Barisal chaired  the event while Md Ahsan Habib, additional divisional commissioner (revenue), Md Mominur Rashid, director of Land Records and Survey Department, Shahidul Islam, deputy commissioner of Barishal, Mridha Md Mozahidul Islam, zonal settlement officer of Barisal, additional deputy commissioners, charge officers, upazila nirbahi officers, assistant commissioners (land), and other grassroots officials of the land administration were present.

Besides, heroic freedom fighter Talukder Md Yunus, general secretary of Barisal district unit Awami League and former Member of Parliament, along with local dignitaries, intellectuals, stakeholders, and civil society representatives were present.