BM Report:

Narayan Chandra Chanda, the newly appointed Land Minister of Bangladesh, pledged to implement smart land management as part of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s manifesto, emphasizing teamwork and transparency in achieving this goal.

Addressing officials and journalists in his introductory meeting, Chanda underscored the importance of collaborative efforts within the Ministry of Land and its affiliated agencies. He declared, “All of us working in this ministry will become a team to realize smart land management,” acknowledging the magnitude of the task and the need for unified action.

Appreciating former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s initiatives in digitizing land services and enacting new land laws, Chanda expressed his commitment to continue this progress. He stated, “We will review existing plans and ensure prompt and sustainable implementation of the Prime Minister’s vision for land management.”

Chanda recognized the crucial role of citizens in building sustainable land management. He called for their active participation and said, “Every Bangladeshi citizen is directly or indirectly connected to land, so citizen participation is indispensable.” He also welcomed media scrutiny, encouraging journalists to “highlight both irregularities and good works” and emphasizing their role in speeding up progress.

Responding to concerns about harassment and corruption within the land administration system, Chanda promised immediate action against any such misconduct. He declared, “We will be strict against any kind of citizen harassment,” and further added, “I myself will work with utmost integrity, and I expect the same from everyone within the Ministry.” He reiterated the zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, saying, “Those who fail to work with clean hands will face legal consequences.”

Narayan Chandra Chanda’s emphasis on teamwork, citizen participation, transparency, and accountability paints a hopeful picture for the future of land management in Bangladesh. His commitment to tackling challenges like corruption and harassment head-on promises a more accessible and efficient land administration system for all citizens. 

The coming months will be crucial in assessing the progress and impact of Chanda’s leadership, but his initial focus on collaboration and reform offers a promising outlook for the successful implementation of smart land services in Bangladesh.