Staff Reporter :
As of July 1, 2024, a significant transformation in the collection period for land development tax has been implemented.
Historically aligned with the Bengali calendar, which commences on the 1st of Baishakh and concludes on the 30th of Chaitra, the tax collection period will now synchronize with the Gregorian fiscal year, running from July to June. This adjustment marks a notable shift from the traditional system that has been in place for over 440 years.
To understand the gravity of this change, it is essential to delve into the historical context of the Bengali calendar’s role in tax collection. The Bengali calendar was first employed in Mughal Bengal in 1584 AD, and although it officially came into effect for tax purposes in 1556 AD, the period of 1584 AD remains a pivotal reference point.
During the Mughal era, this calendar system was utilised to manage land revenue, reflecting an administrative approach rooted in historical practices.
In the centuries that followed, the practice of collecting land rent in alignment with the Bengali calendar persisted through British colonial rule and subsequent periods of Pakistani governance. However, in contemporary Bangladesh, after navigating through various historical phases, the necessity for reform has emerged to adapt to modern administrative needs.
The Ministry of Land anticipates that this new approach will bring a range of benefits to the land development tax collection process. By shifting the collection period to the Gregorian fiscal year, which concludes on June 30 each year, the process will be more balanced, transparent, and effective. This change aims to streamline administrative operations, enhance efficiency, and introduce a level of dynamism into the tax collection framework.
Under the reformed system, land development tax for each year will be collectable up until June 30 of the corresponding fiscal year without incurring any penalties.
On June 8, 2024, Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda inaugurated Land Service Week, announcing a significant new policy and highlighting various advancements by the Land Ministry. The Minister informed the media about an important update regarding land development tax and outlined several initiatives aimed at modernizing land services and fostering broader social benefits.
Under the new policy, individuals or families dependent on agriculture will be exempt from paying land development tax for up to 8.25 acres or 25 bighas of agricultural land. However, if the agricultural land exceeds this threshold, the land development tax will be applicable to the entire area of land owned.
Minister Chanda also introduced several transformative measures that are set to improve land management and service delivery. The digitisation of land services, he explained, is playing a crucial role in advancing women’s rights, bolstering food security, safeguarding the environment, and addressing the challenges of climate change.
One of the notable features of this new era in land service management will be the elimination of plot (Dag) sharing in records (Khatiyan), thereby virtually eradicating land-related lawsuits and litigations and minimizing boundary disputes. Citizens will benefit from streamlined land services with reduced need for physical visits to the land office, as all relevant land information will be accessible through a National ID (NID).
Additionally, upon the purchase of land, individuals will receive a ‘Certificate of Land Ownership’ (CLO) without delay. In areas where a digital survey has been conducted, there will be no requirement for future surveys, thus simplifying the land management process and ensuring efficient service.