DHAKA, Land Minister Narayan Chandra Chand today vowed to stand against any sorts of citizens' harassment and corruption to materialize rapid sustainable development in line with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's plans. "We will take a firm stand against any kind of citizens' harassment as well as corrupt practices . . . Besides, we are planning to digitize in such a way that the system itself will not allow harassment," he told journalists at his Bangladesh Secretariat office on the first day of his office as a cabinet member. Replying to a query on corruption in land management, he added: "I myself will work fairly . . . I hope all my colleagues in this ministry will do so . . ." He also warned of taking action in case of violation of law at all levels. Describing the land ministry as a 'challenging' one, the new minister said, "We will review the plans and check how the Prime Minister's plans on land can be implemented quickly and sustainably". Highly appreciating the leadership of former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in implementation of land service digitization and the formulation of important new land related laws, the minister said he would carry forward the work of land service digitization very 'religiously' (continuously and systematically). Narayan Chandra urged all concerned to work as a team member to implement "Smart Land Services" as part of the Prime Minister's electoral pledges. He also called upon journalists to highlight different development works of the government with constructive criticism. Land Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman, Land Appeal Board Chairman AKM Shamimul Haque, Land Reforms Board Chairman Md Abdus Sabur Mandal, Director General of Land Records and Survey Directorate Anis Mahmud, all additional secretaries and other officials and employees concerned were also present.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha