Study on introduction of e-governance for land record and land ownership transfer system in Bangladesh

Abstract

Land is a valuable resource and its proper management can put positive effect in development of a country. Land administration can be practiced by manual system or through automation. In manual system, huge complexities occur due to delay of updating land information. Duplication of ownership, expropriation of deed, forceful engulfment of land and selling same land to multiple buyers are the main problems of traditional system. Resolution of these problems requires huge time and cost. Quick and timely update of land information can reduce such kinds of problems and complexities easily. The introduction of land automation system as well as establish e-governance in land sector can play a vital role in this regard. The worldwide practices of land automation using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proves that it reduces land related intricacy and problem. Bangladesh is going to establish e-governance in land administration by using ICT and developing land automation system. For the first time, initiative of land automation is taken by the government at five mouzas of Savar upazilla as pilot initiative. As there is no option to select another area for this research, this area is selected as study area. This study area provides the opportunity to get a close view of traditional and automation system and helps to identify the complexities and benefits of both system of land administration. In this study, problems of traditional land record and ownership transfer have identified in case of buy and sale of personal land. A comparative analysis has designed between traditional and automation system in respect of time and cost. The prospect of e-governance has analyzed based on organizational preparation and capacity to deal with ICT driven land record and land ownership transfer system. From this study it is found that land automation could carry a fruitful result if it is possible to develop a common coordination framework among different organizations involved in land sector of Bangladesh. Special consideration should be given by the authority to solve land litigation immediately where automation system will be commenced. It is also necessary to create position for technically proficient person (s) at DLRS office to manage and maintain functions of automation system at present and in future.