More than three million acres of government land remain under illegal occupation while thousands of landless families wait for a rightful share. A proper distribution of the land could have brought about massive changes in the poverty rate, writes Nur-E-Sohitun Jahan
GOVERNMENT land settlement is still much unsettled, lacking in transparency and mired in colonial practices. Bangladesh鈥檚 constitution has emphasised the establishment of a society free of hunger, bestowed with the right of equal access to resources. The Agricultural Khas Land Management and Settlement Policy 1997 and Section 7 of the Land Reforms Act 2023 lay out that the government-owned agricultural land will be given to landless families or to agricultural labourers or share-croppers. The main object of this preferential list is to prevent the superiors from having extensive land holding and establish economic and social justice.
More than three million acres of government land remain under illegal occupation while thousands of landless families wait for a rightful share. A proper distribution of the land could have brought about massive changes in the poverty rate.
The Anti-Corruption Commission in January 2025 filed a case for misusing political status to illegally acquire land against the UK treasury minister Tulip Siddiq. After further investigation, it was found that during her tenure as prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq鈥檚 aunt, allocated government plots of the Purbachal new town project to herself and the family.
The policy of 1997 encourages the distribution of newly formed government land in char areas for the benefits of poor char dwellers. But the current legislation remains reflective of the British-era practices that encouraged the control of zamindars and musclemen over the char land in the delta. But, the only difference now is that armies of musclemen have been replaced with illegal land-grabbers and the powerful elite. For expanding their economic interest, they work in collusion with local land administration. As a result, marginalised char dwellers are left in a vulnerable situation without land rights.
A June 2024 report says that some government-owned land was encroached on by local influential individuals in collusion with dishonest land officers at Dhulia Bazar in Patuakhali, which hindered the construction of shops and farms and market development works.
Land grab has become a common issue these days and no effective measures being taken to mitigate such land-related corruption. For instance, a July 2024 report found some locally influential people to occupy vast swathes of government-owned land, including hills, canals and rivers. A man is alleged to have erected houses on the land for rents by bribing the deputy commissioner.
The practice of bribery in land offices is widespread and a very common scenario where the powerful elite are dished out land-related services. In March 2024, a video showed a land officer in Kishoreganj taking bribe for clearing a land deed.
Why do the landless still wait while the corrupt reap the benefits of public land meant for them? These people deserve attention of policymakers with a view to bringing about reform and changes in policies.
Firstly, we must draw the attention of the government to the problem with new approaches. The first step that could be taken is to create a centralised digital government land database with tracking system and GIS mapping to monitor any unauthorised occupation. Secondly, it is important to empower the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Thirdly, a new and more appropriate law on government-owned land should be enacted to replace the problematic provisions. Fourthly, a beneficiary verification system should be introduced with a system linked to the national identity verification to ensure that applicants for government land own no other pieces of land.
Fifthly, a focus should be given on the livelihood of the landless. And finally, illegal occupation of government land can be criminalised with the proper implementation of the Land Crime Prevention and Remedy Act 2023 which would ensure a speedy disposal of forced acquisition and safeguard the rights of the landless.
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Nur-E-Sohitun Jahan is a student of law at the Bangladesh University of Professionals.
