HC questions price hike of fuel, water
The High Court yesterday issued two rules questioning the legality of the recent price hikes of fuel and water.
The ministry of energy and mineral resources on August 5 raised the price of diesel and kerosene by 42.5 percent, and petrol and octane by 51.1 and 51.7 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) in its board meeting on July 7 decided to raise the water tariff by 5 percent from September 1.
Yesterday, the HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo issued the rules, following two petitions, challenging the legality of the decisions.
The HC also questioned the legality of Dhaka Wasa's decision to award performance bonuses to its employees. At the same time, the court issued an injunction, restraining the Wasa authorities from distributing performance bonuses for three months.
In one rule, the court asked authorities concerned of the government to show causes in two weeks why the decision to increase fuel prices should not be declared illegal, and why the notification issued on August 5 should not be scrapped.
The secretary and deputy secretary of the energy and mineral resources ministry and chairperson of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission have been made respondents.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Eunus Ali Akond filed the petition.
In another rule, it asked authorities concerned of the government and Dhaka Wasa to explain in four weeks why Wasa's decision should not be declared illegal.
The HC also questioned the legality of Dhaka Wasa's decision to award performance bonuses to its employees. At the same time, the court issued an injunction, restraining Wasa authorities from distributing performance bonuses for three months.
Secretary to local government, rural development ministry; board of Dhaka Wasa including its chairperson; Dhaka Wasa managing director; and Comptroller and Auditor General have been made respondents, Deputy Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy told The Daily Star.
Convener of Consumers' Association of Bangladesh Mubassher Hossain filed the petition concerning the water tariff hike and performance bonus.