Bangladesh to launch one-stop service centres to reform land services

Bangladesh is preparing to introduce One-Stop Service Centres to streamline land services and reduce public harassment, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu announced on Friday, outlining a reform agenda aimed at modernising land administration and improving governance.

Speaking at an exchange of views with local journalists at the Padma Community Center in Rajshahi, Mizanur Rahman Minu said the Ministry of Land is working on a structured plan to eliminate complexities and irregularities in land-related services through a centralised service delivery system.

He stated that the core objective of modernising land administration is to ensure hassle-free services for citizens. At present, landowners often have to navigate multiple offices and procedural steps to resolve a single issue, creating delays and increasing the risk of irregularities.

Under the proposed One-Stop Service Centers model, service seekers will be able to submit complaints or applications at a single location. All related official procedures will be processed within the same centre, removing the need to visit several offices. The minister said this reform would reduce bureaucratic steps, increase administrative accountability and limit opportunities for harassment.

The initiative forms part of broader land governance reforms designed to align public services with international standards. Mizanur Rahman Minu noted that land management operates under various existing laws and regulatory frameworks but acknowledged that certain provisions require amendment to reflect present-day realities. He confirmed that necessary amendment proposals would be placed before the National Parliament.

Policy reform in land administration is considered critical for improving investment climate, infrastructure development and industrial expansion, particularly as Bangladesh accelerates economic diversification and urban development.

Addressing local development priorities, the land minister said Rajshahi’s long-term growth would be pursued without political division. As an elected representative, he emphasised inclusive development and equal representation in policymaking.

He identified employment generation as a primary demand of residents in Rajshahi and said efforts would focus on expanding the information technology sector, strengthening industrialisation and attracting new investment. Plans are also being developed to build skilled manpower and support local entrepreneurs to enhance regional economic capacity.

Earlier on Friday, Mizanur Rahman Minu met representatives from various professional groups in Rajshahi during courtesy visits.

The proposed One-Stop Service Centres are expected to mark a structural shift in Bangladesh’s land administration system, with implications for governance efficiency, investment facilitation and regulatory transparency.