Land officials asked to submit wealth info by Feb 28

DOT Desk: Newly-appointed Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury ordered all officials of his ministry to submit their wealth statements within the next month, reports the Daily Observer.
“The Land Ministry will be brought under the purview of accountability and freed from corruption,” he told journalists at the city’s Press Club.
“I will pay abrupt visits to prevent public harassment, bribery and corruption at different land offices,” he said.
Soon after taking charge, the minister told officials that he would not tolerate corruption and that a two-year plan would be adopted for the ministry’s development. Saifuzzaman on Saturday said land clearance for big projects including bay-terminal, Karnaphuli tunnel, Dhaka-Chattogram Railway and economic zones would get priority. “Illegal establishments along the river banks will be cleared. No one will be spared,” he said. Meanwhile, soon after taking charge, the minister told officials that he would not tolerate corruption and that a two-year plan would be adopted for the ministry’s development.
Saifuzzaman on Saturday said land clearance for big projects including bay-terminal, Karnaphuli tunnel, Dhaka-Chattogram Railway and economic zones would get priority.
“I am announcing zero tolerance against corruption� An efficient, transparent and people-friendly digital land management system will be built up under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
He said that all staff of land offices from union parishad to the Land Ministry must have to submit their wealth statements by this timeframe.
He also said that all the land offices would be brought under the purview of the CCTV coverage to ensure transparency in the sector.
Respective officials, including minister and secretary of the ministry of land, will monitor the overall activities of the land offices, he added.
He also asked them to work as a team and ensure better services for the people.
CPC President Kolim Sarwar presided over the function while CPC secretary Suklal Das, senior journalists Ali Abbas, Ezaz Mahmud and Chowdhury Farid, among others, addressed the function.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Deputy Education Minister Barrister, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, also addressed journalists on Saturday in the port city.