Chattogram tops country in resolving online land complaints

Chattogram has topped the country in the number of online land-service complaints resolved over the past four months, settling 486 cases, according to the Ministry of Land.

The figure is more than twice that of Mymensingh, which came second with 197 complaints resolved.

The ministry's Grievance Redress System (GRS) report, released on September 24, covers complaints lodged and resolved between May 19 and September 23.

Chattogram received 882 complaints during the period and resolved 486, recording a disposal rate of 55 percent.

Among other districts, Pabna resolved 170 complaints, Bogura 162, Jashore 160, Noakhali 157, Dhaka 144 and Rajshahi 143.

Mymensingh recorded a disposal rate of 41 percent.

Nationwide, 15,201 complaints were lodged during the same period. Of them, 4,384 were resolved and 10,817 remained pending, putting the national disposal rate at 29 percent.

Chattogram's disposal rate was thus 26 percentage points above the national average.

Two complainants contacted about their cases said their problems were resolved after they sought redress through the online system.

Shafiqul Islam Khan said he lodged a complaint after encountering difficulties while trying to pay land development tax online under the Kattali Circle Land Office in Chattogram city.

The assistant commissioner (land) concerned later contacted him and resolved the issue, after which he received his payment receipt online, Shafiqul said.

Nuruddin, a complainant from Hathazari upazila, said his complaint was resolved and he subsequently received his mutation record by post.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian said land-related complications are behind many disputes and court cases, prompting the administration to closely monitor such complaints.

"We are closely monitoring land-related complaints and problems so that people do not have to face unnecessary litigation, harassment or suffering," he said.

Officials concerned have also been instructed to resolve complaints promptly and make land services easier for citizens, the DC added.

Citizens can lodge complaints over land services online through the Ministry of Land's grievance redress mechanism, with designated grievance redress and focal point officials responsible for handling them.