Incalculable harm is done to our economy by the failure of the government to ensure legal certainty and protect property rights.
One extreme consequence of this can be seen in our investigations into the Jamaat Shibir stronghold at Buthpara next to Rajshahi University.
Buthpara residents report that one of the reasons for Jamaat’s support in the area is that it has astutely taken advantage of local grievances in relation to land disputes. This is because residents claim the government acquired their land for Rajshahi University without paying compensation.
It goes without saying that the government should not acquire private lands or property without paying reasonable compensation.
Although the consequences in Buthpara are unusual, the root problem is not. Despite it being a serious criminal offence, land grabbing is widespread and property rights are frequently trampled upon. Politically-connected individuals have notoriously been able to act with impunity in occupying public land adjacent to rivers and in trying to grab land from minority communities.
Moreover, these are merely the tip of an iceberg. The court system is congested by at least 2 million land-related cases. Endemic corruption and maladministration in the land registration system make many of these harder to resolve.
The government must act effectively to reform the land registration system. It should start by always paying due compensation where it appropriates land by showing zero tolerance to corrupt officials and grabbers in high-profile cases.
It must also speed reforms to the land registration system and use technology to make it more accountable and transparent.