Dhaka District Commissioner (DC) Farida Khanam. Photo: BSS

By Mostak Ahmed

DHAKA, June 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka District Administration is set to achieve 100% of its land development tax collection target for fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26). 
 
Although a revenue collection target of Tk 84 crore was set for FY26, the administration has been achieved almost 100% by the end of June, said Dhaka District Commissioner (DC) Farida Khanam.

She shared the information in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) today at her office here.

The DC said that she personally took direct initiatives to recover long-pending dues from government agencies in land development tax collection, which is being considered an exceptional and unprecedented step in administrative circles.

Farida Khanam said Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) had around Tk 7 crore and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) around Tk 15 crore in outstanding land development taxes. Although these dues remained pending year after year, no real progress was made in recovering them, she added. 

“As the District Collector, I personally visited both the city corporations and discussed the matter,” she added.  

She informed that her direct presence positively motivated the authorities concerned.

DSCC has already paid Tk 5 crore out of the outstanding Tk 15 crore, and the process of paying the remaining amount is underway.

On the other hand, the DNCC has also assured of quickly paying Tk 4 to 5 crore.

"If I had not taken the initiative myself, perhaps this money would not have been deposited to the government treasury. Everyone must be more responsible in collecting government revenue," she said. 

Farida Khanam said the district administration has taken special measures to ensure that dues from government agencies do not accumulate in the future.

She said, "I have instructed the Additional District Commissioner (revenue) and Assistant Commissioner (land) officers to work regularly at the field level until the agencies’ dues are recovered.”

Apart from office work, they will spend at least two to three hours daily visiting various government and semi-government institutions to follow up on the recovery of dues.

RAJUK, Bangladesh Railway, and several other institutions also owe significant amounts to the district administration, she said, adding that officers have already started field-level work to recover the arrears.

Speaking about the district administration's various programmes on tree plantation and environmental conservation, Farida Khanam said, “Extensive tree plantation activities are being carried out across the country as part of the ‘Green City, Clean City’ programme announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.”

She said, "The Prime Minister has announced a target of planting 25 crore trees in five years. Various government departments and agencies have been given specific responsibilities to implement that target. We want to transform Dhaka into a greener, more livable, and environmentally friendly city."

She added that the highest levels of the government are placing special importance on cleanliness and environmental protection. The district administration is working regularly on city management, waste removal, and raising public awareness, she added. 

The DC said although the revenue collection target of Tk 84 crore for the current fiscal year has been met, the target may increase further in the next fiscal year.

She said, "Possibly in the next fiscal year, our revenue collection target will be raised to Tk 100 crore. However, it is not enough to just increase the target, we must also develop the capacity to achieve that target. We are preparing for that."

In response to a question about whether lands taken on lease from the district administration over the years are being properly utilized, Farida Khanam said that an investigation will be conducted, if necessary, in this regard.

She said, "Many individuals and institutions have taken government land on lease at various times. We will verify whether they are using the land according to the lease terms. If it is found that anyone is using the land beyond the designated purpose, legal action will be taken."

Talking about improving the quality of services at land offices under the district administration, Farida Khanam said that the administrative officers are performing their duties as servants of the people.

She said, “Our officers work day and night for the welfare of the state. I always tell them that we will work not as rulers, but as servants of the people. Our salaries come from the taxes paid by the people. So, we must perform that duty with honesty and dedication.”

She further said, “If any complaint of irregularities, corruption, or negligence in service is received against any officer or employee anywhere, conscious citizens can inform the district administration. If the complaint is proven, action will definitely be taken.”

She also highlighted various aspects of the district administration's ongoing activities in modernizing land management, increasing government revenue, and improving the quality of public services.