Bangladesh’s government is preparing to introduce a cashless system for land-acquisition compensation, aiming to reduce alleged harassment, irregularities and bribery linked to compensation cheques at district commissioner offices. Land Ministry officials said the Land Acquisition and Requisition Management System, or LRMS, could be fully launched by December this year. Under the government-funded initiative, landowners would no longer need to visit district offices in person to collect cheques.

Applicants and relevant administrative officials will be able to log into the system online using designated IDs and passwords. After applications are reviewed, compensation will be transferred directly to recipients’ bank accounts through electronic fund transfer, using the government’s integrated financial management platform, iBAS. Additional Secretary Emdadul Haque Chowdhury said the cashless service is intended to stop bribery allegations surrounding cheque handovers and limit the role of intermediaries.

The LRMS project is on the priority list under the prime minister’s 180-day work plan. Its core structure and business logic are nearing completion, while coordination with the Finance Division, iBAS integration and e-challan-related technical work continue. Development Design Consultants Limited is building the software at an estimated cost of about Tk 3.44 crore. Where there are no ownership disputes or court stays, the law requires compensation within 120 days of notice issuance.