If corruption and anomalies at the sub-registrar's office can be stopped, the objectives of the new act will be achieved, they said.

The Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) organised the seminar on 'The Registration (Amendment) Act 2004: The realities in Bangladesh and mitigation of commoners' sufferings' at the Biam auditorium in the city.

The government brought reforms to the registration act in order to improve land management, said Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, who was present as the chief guest.

Referring to the land litigation situation, he said the new act would help streamline the land management system, easing the suffering of common people.

Presenting a keynote paper, Advocate Dr Naim Ahmed said registration and other fees need to be brought down to a tolerable level.

If modern technology could be introduced along with the newly introduced law, it would further benefit the people, he added.

He also said proper steps should be taken to check corruption and anomalies in the sub-registrar's office in order to make the new law effective.

Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, executive director of Brac, said the land registration process has been made up-to-date through this new act.

But some problems might crop up during the implementation of the act, he added.

Mohammed Abdul Kader, executive director of Samata, said the new act would expedite the land registration process and reduce the number of land disputes in the country.

He also called for massive campaign to make the people aware of the new act.

Presided over by ALRD Chairperson Khushi Kabir, the seminar was also addressed by State Minister for Land Ukil Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan and ALRD executive director Shamsul Huda.