NARSINGDI: Service seekers at the Assistant Commissioner (Land) Office in Monohardi Upazila of Narsingdi are allegedly facing prolonged delays, harassment and demands for additional payments while seeking services related to mutation, land partition and miscellaneous land cases (Misc. Cases).
According to allegations raised by local residents and service seekers, an alleged syndicate involving office staff and other individuals is influencing the processing of land-related files and allegedly demanding money from members of the public.
The allegations name a daily-wage worker identified as Habib, Kanungo Habibur Rahman, Office Assistant-cum-Computer Typist or Nazir Ariful Islam, former surveyor Afzal Hossain Sabuj, and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Sajib Mia. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
Complainants allege that files related to mutation, land partition and miscellaneous cases are sometimes kept pending for extended periods, causing service seekers to visit the office repeatedly. They further allege that individuals seeking to resolve such matters are pressured to make additional payments.
One of the major allegations concerns a person named Habib, reportedly working at the office on a daily-wage basis. Local sources claim that he exercises influence over the movement and processing of land-related files despite not holding a regular government position.
According to the allegations, a minimum of Tk 3,000 is being collected as an alleged “LA fee” for each file. Complainants further claim that some files may not reach the desk of the Assistant Commissioner (Land) unless they are processed through the said individual.
Service seekers allege that the situation has resulted in additional financial burdens and unnecessary delays, particularly for people who are unfamiliar with the procedures involved in land administration.
Local members of the community have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations and urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Deputy Commissioner of Narsingdi to take appropriate action if any irregularities are found.
They also demanded greater transparency in the processing of mutation applications, land partition cases and miscellaneous cases, as well as effective monitoring to ensure that members of the public can receive government land services without harassment or unauthorized payments.
The allegations require independent verification through documentary evidence, statements from complainants and the concerned officials, and an investigation by the appropriate authorities.