Taqsem wants Dhaka Wasa listed on stock market

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) Managing Director Taqsem A Khan has expressed his desire to have the agency listed on the stock market.

"Dhaka Wasa is now a profitable organisation. We will work towards positioning the organisation in a way that it no longer requires any government subsidy. Moreover, the Dhaka Wasa can be listed on the stock market," said Taqsem A Khan during a views exchange meeting with LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam at the Wasa Bhaban in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar yesterday.

The Wasa MD urged the minister to consider the possibility of listing Dhaka Wasa, as well as many other government organisations, on the stock market to make them self-sufficient.

He said, "We will complete the unfinished work of Dhaka Wasa within the shortest possible time, and we have already made significant progress in micromanagement. Now, we aim to complete the remaining tasks promptly."

The Wasa MD mentioned the agency's goal to fully implement the Dhaka Wasa Act 1996, saying, "We have already made significant strides towards achieving this."

Speaking as the chief guest, the LGRD minister said, "In the past, Dhaka residents used to protest for water, and the army had to be deployed at times to cool down the situation. The water quality was also very poor. But the situation has now improved."

"At that time, the water was not usable for daily purposes, let alone drinking," he said. "However, the situation has improved today, thanks to the many plans implemented by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since 1996."

The minister raised a question whether it is reasonable to provide water to the rich at the expense of subsidies. 

"The cost of producing 1,000 litres of water in Dhaka is between Tk26 and Tk30. If the production cost is Tk30, and it is sold at Tk15, then who will pay the remaining Tk15 subsidy? Will I provide compensation here with government money?"

He said he believes that the price of water in wealthy areas should not be the same as the price of water in middle-class and lower-middle-class areas.

Taqsem continues in the position 'due to his qualifications'

The LGRD minister said, "There have been repeated criticisms of the Dhaka Wasa MD. The question has been raised, why the current MD is always the MD of Wasa, why he has been given the responsibility so many times."

Taqsem A Khan has been retained in the position due to his qualifications and efficiency, Tajul Islam explained.

"No one is above criticism. I am not the kind of person who cannot be debated about. But the point is, how well I have been able to fulfil the responsibility given to me, how much I have been able to contribute," he said.

Tajul Islam also said, "There are many institutions where an officer has been working for 20/30/40 years. The Wasa MD has been given the responsibility repeatedly because of his own qualifications and efficiency."