They also called for doubling the allocation that has been made in WSS sector in the proposed budget to meet the government's pledge of ensuring safe water and sanitation for all within 2010.

The press conference on 'importance of safe water and sanitation in the budget and its effect on national development' was organised by WaterAid Bangladesh, a non-government organisation, at the National Press Club in the city.

In his keynote speech, Dr Muhammad Abdus Sabur, country representative of WaterAid Bangladesh, said the government's pledge to achieve the target of safe water and sanitation by 2010 has become uncertain due to inadequate allocation in the WSS sector in the budget.

The WSS sector was not shown as a separate sector in the national budget though the country's overall development depends on it, he said, adding the goal of MDGs would not be achieved without ensuring safe water and sanitation for all.

Dr Sabur said although the government-approved Sector Development Programme (SDP) stated that the WSS sector needs an annual allocation of Tk 2674 crore, only Tk 827.5 crore, which is only 30 per cent of the total demand, has been earmarked for this sector.

"There is also no direction in the budget about how and from where the huge deficit will be met," he added.

Dr Sabur said every year Bangladesh has to spend Tk 10747 crore for the payment of debt interest and this money can be used in the WSS if the donor agencies cancel the debt interest.

He also urged the donor agencies to allocate more money in this sector and cancel the debt interest as they waive interest of many countries.

Dr Sabur also demanded proper monitoring of the spending of the allocated money in this sector.

Director Dr Syed Ishteaque Ali Jinnah and Programme Officer Ziaul Kabir of WaterAid Bangladesh were present at the press conference.