HC questions legality of WASA’s decision to raise water price
The court also asked why the section of the WASA Act, related to water price hike, should not be declared illegal.
The High court (HC) has issued a rule asking concerned authorities to explain within four weeks, why Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's (WASA) decision to raise water prices by 25% should not be declared illegal.
An HC division bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam issued the rule on Monday, after hearing a writ filed by advocate Tanvir Ahmed.
The court also asked why the section of the WASA Act, related to water price hike, should not be declared illegal.
Earlier, Tanvir Ahmed submitted a writ petition at the High Court in public interest, challenging the hike in water prices from 1 April. Local government secretary, Dhaka WASA, and concerned authorities were made respondents in the writ.
Informing reporters of the court order, Tanvir Ahmed said the court asked the respondents to respond to the rule within four weeks.
Since 1 April, Dhaka WASA has increased the water tariff of residential customers by 25%. While the tariff for commercial customers has increased by about 8%.
Under the new price, the price of water per thousand liters for residential consumers has been fixed at Tk14.46 from the earlier price of Tk11.57. And the commercial price was increased from Tk 38.4 per thousand liters to Tk 40.
