Lack of proper implementation of laws and corruption in administration are causing the landless people to remain deprived of khas land.

Samata, an NGO organised the meeting on 'Speeding up the Process of Khas Land Distribution among the Landless Poor for Poverty Reduction' at Biam auditorium in the city.

The speakers sought cooperation between the government and non-government organisations in this regard.

They also talked about the eviction of the indigenous people from their land and recommended activating Khas Land Management and Settlement Committee.

" The landless people who are directly involved with agricultural production must enjoy the rights of land. It is essential to provide them with khas land to increase production," said Principle Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Dr Kamal Uddin Siddiqui.

He also underscored the need for organising the landless people and cooperation from the NGOs.

Secretary In-charge of Land Ministry Muhammad Abdul Alim Khan said although law exists, there is corruption in land management, which is a very complex object.

The landless people should be settled permanently along with an income source, he said.

Proper implementation of law, complete survey of the khas land, transparency in land record and distribution of the khas land among the landless after recovering from the grabbers are necessary, the speaker pointed out at the meeting.

They also urged the need for starting CLO system to protect the land from the grabbers. Eviction of the indigenous people from their land should be stopped immediately, they said.

The meeting was also participated by Department of Land Record and Survey Director General Mohammad Abu Haider Shardar, Charge Officer Moshiar Rahman, Deputy Secretary of Ministry of Land Abdul Hamid, Director of Federation of the NGOs in Bangladesh Tajul Islam, Samata Director Sohel Ibn Ali.

Samata Director (Programme) Md Sarwar Alam presented the Keynote Paper.

Representatives from donor agency DFID and different NGOs were also present.