HC questions Dhaka Wasa's move for 25 percent price hike of water

The High Court today questioned Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's (Wasa) decision of hiking the water price by 25 percent since April 1 of this year.

The court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government and Wasa to explain in four weeks why the decision should not be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam came up with the rule following a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Tanvir Ahmed seeking its order of injunction on the Wasa decision of hiking the water price.

He submitted the petition as a public interest litigation on June 15, also praying to the court to declare the move illegal and unconstitutional.

Citing the petition, Tanvir Ahmed told The Daily Star that Dhaka Wasa had increased the price of water by 5 percent on September 1 of last year.

It has further increased the water price by 25 percent since April 1 this year, which has been reported in different newspapers including The Daily Star, he said.

Advocate Tanvir said that most of the countrymen are now facing serious financial crisis and amid this situation, hiking 25 percent water tariff is not only illegal but also a heartless activity.

Dhaka Wasa can increase only 5 percent water tariff in consultation with the government as per section 22 of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Act, 1996, the writ petitioner added.