Low-income people seek subsidised water
The representatives of low-income communities and development activists yesterday sought subsidised water from the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority.
They made the call at a workshop on “Sustainable water supply management for low-income community” jointly organised by Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK) and Sajida Foundation at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka.
“We are low-income people. Still we pay at the same rate of the people living in posh areas like Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara. This is not justified,” said Selina Akhter, a resident of the city’s Korail Slum.
“Moreover, we don’t get water regularly despite paying bills on time because of the presence of some dishonest businessmen who take illegal connections and control the whole water supply process.”
Selina Begum, a resident of the Sattala slum in Mohakhali, said the authorities supply water to their locality at a specific period of time, not the whole day.
Begum said they have to suffer everyday as the authorities do not maintain any fixed timetable to supply water to the slum.
“Even there are times when no water is supplied to the area.”
At the event, Uttam Kumar Roy, deputy managing director of Dhaka Wasa, ruled out any possibility of price reduction for any group, reasoning that it would increase water abuse.
He suggested that all cooperate with Wasa to help it disconnect illegal water connections in slum areas.
Wasa sincerely wants to ensure supply of safe water for around 30 lakh low-income people now living in Dhaka city, he said.
“Wasa is committed to give water connections to the low-income people instantly after getting applications. But illegal connections must be stopped.”
Babul Bala, a project director of WaterAid Bangladesh, urged the Wasa to consider lowering prices for the low-income people as they pay bills regularly.
Among others, SM Mustafa Kamal Mojumder, chief revenue officer of Dhaka Wasa, and Dibalok Singha, executive director of the DSK, also spoke.
Later, Dhaka Wasa and organisers handed over certificates and awards among 20 ideal customers who paid Wasa bills regularly.
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