Service seekers in Chatul Union land office under Boalmari upazila of Faridpur have raised serious allegations of rampant 'bribery and harassment'.
Locals said no land-related service is delivered without paying 'extra money', forcing many to wait for days in the corridors unless 'unofficial' payments are made.
From mutation to obtaining khatians (land owners official numbers and descriptions), investigation reports, or even paying land taxes, victims allege that every step involves bribes.
Surrounding the Tahsil office, several computer shops offer online land-related services.
These shops are known to bring clients to the tahsildar (revenue collector), acting as middlemen, locals alleged.
Although the government mutation fee is officially Tk 1,170, clients are reportedly being charged between Tk 2,000 and Tk 10,000 depending on the case.
Expatriates remain a prime target of these agents.
Talking to this correspondent, several locals, including former Zila Parishad member Ahsan Habib, Niyamul Haque Faisal of Baikhir village and Milon Sheikh of Baikhir Chourasta said no files are forwarded to seniors without bribes.
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None of their mutation cases were resolved for less than Tk 4,000–5,000, they alleged.
Shamima Yasmin, an expatriate based in Italy, said she needed an urgent mutation for a piece of land in Chatul Union ahead of her July 10 flight.
“I thought the digitalisation of land services would ease the process. After submitting the online application and required documents, I approached the land office. But they wouldn’t forward the file without extra payment,” she said.
Eventually, she had to send Tk 1,000 through her brother to get the job done.
Echoing similar frustration, Ehramuzzaman, son of the late Ashrafuzzaman Saifar Miah, said, “My father passed away some time ago. I went to the Chatul Land Office for mutation of inherited property. After several visits, the tahsildar told me that unless I paid for ‘office expenses’, the file wouldn’t move. I finally paid Tk 1,000 to get it done.”
Nazmul Hossain, a Saudi expatriate, came from Chapaldanga of Gunboha Union to get a mutation done for 8 decimals of land.
“Besides, the official fee, I paid Tk 10,000 and was promised the work would be done within a week,” he said.
Chatul Union Parishad Chairman Rafiqul Islam said, "I’ve heard many complaints about the tahsildar from locals, though I haven’t personally visited the office.”
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When asked why digitalisation has not curbed harassment and corruption, Advocate Shipra Goswami, former President of Faridpur Citizens’ Committee of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said, "The central government is keen on ensuring public services through reforms, but the message hasn’t reached the grassroots effectively. Despite efforts, land service seekers continue to suffer. District and upazila administrations must show strong commitment and strict monitoring. Only then can we root out corruption from land management.”
Masud Rana, Member Secretary of the anti-discrimination student movement in Faridpur, said, “The current government is tirelessly working to ensure public services at the grassroots level. If anyone obstructs this process, we’ll launch a movement if necessary.”
Hasanuzzaman, General Secretary of Faridpur’s Committee for Preventing Corruption, added, "The movement of ‘24 was about change. Those creating obstacles must be brought under the law. Close monitoring is necessary where corruption is most likely. Local citizens must also be active in identifying corrupt officials and raising their voices.”
Abdullah Al Amin, Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Boalmari, said, "With the introduction of online services, corruption has reduced in many areas. But due to lack of awareness, many still fall into the trap of brokers and spend extra money. We urge people to come directly to the AC Land office instead of approaching middlemen.”