Govt to issue land ownership certificates, smart cards

The government will issue certificates of land ownership (CLOs) and land smart cards to land owners to ensure the authenticity of ownership.

A land ministry high official involved in the process has told The Financial Express the government has finalised the draft of the Land Ownership and Use Act 2023 with the provision of providing CLOs and land smart cards.

He says the draft act has been sent to the Cabinet Division and is awaiting the nod from the council of advisers.

The land smart card will have a QR code or a unique number. Once the act comes into effect, a land owner will be able to pay land taxes by using the card, he explains.

If a land owner fails to pay land development taxes for three years consecutively, the government will lawfully confiscate the land, which will then be treated as khas (government-owned) land, says the official.

Besides, if anyone grabs another person's land through forgery, they will face a two-year jail term or Tk 0.5 million in fines or both.

The land ministry says the government will provide CLOs and land smart cards to all land owners.

The CLO will be treated as a final and authentic document that will prove the real ownership of land. It will contain all information about the land.

The land ministry official further says the act will not be applicable to the three hill districts.

The draft act says after handing over or selling land, the owner must complete mutation and get the CLO to pay land development taxes.

The CLO will be updated once a land is sold. The owner must pay a certain fee to the government to update the CLO, says the official.

The draft act also has a strict provision on acquiring agricultural land.

It says if the government needs agricultural land for emergency development projects, comparatively less fertile land must be selected.

Besides, land that yields crops two or three times a year cannot be acquired.

However, if needed in the interests of the people, such land can be acquired with the land ministry's approval, says the draft act.

Regarding land demarcation on the basis of use, the ministry official says the government will prepare a digital map using satellite images in this regard.

He says the act will clearly define agricultural, non-agricultural, and residential land, and no one can change the category without government permission. If anyone changes the category without permission, they will face a year in jail or Tk 50,000 in fines or both, according to the official.

The draft act recommends the government not allow anyone to use agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.

Besides, the government should encourage people to build private offices, industries, and residential buildings on non-arable land, stressing horizontal expansion of buildings, says the official.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com