Another hike?
When Dhaka residents are already burdened with hikes of fuel, essentials and transport fare, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka Wasa) recently proposed to hike water tariff by 25 percent for residential connections and 19 percent for commercial ones.
The proposal is now waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives.
On July 7, the Wasa board approved a 5 percent tariff hike, which will be effective from September 1. But Wasa has again submitted a proposal to the ministry for another hike a few days back.
According to the proposal, water tariff would be Tk 19 per unit (1000 litres) for residential connection and Tk 50 per unit for commercial ones.
Right now, the residential tariff is Tk 15.18 per unit and commercial tariff Tk 42.
An official of Local Government Division said Wasa has submitted a proposal to the ministry. "After considering all aspects of the proposal, we will send it to the prime minister to get the final approval," he said.
Only the 5-percent hike would take residential tariff to Tk 15.93 and commercial tariff Tk 44.10.
Dhaka Wasa can increase water tariff by 5 percent after consulting with the government, as per Section 22 of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Act, 1996.
Consumer Association of Bangladesh President Ghulam Rahman said if the proposal is approved, the new hike will further increase the burden of residents. It will increase inflation, which will make people's lives terrible.
Cost of living will increase significantly. One-third of the capital's residents will seriously struggle, he said.
"We will request the government to not increase the tariff," he added.
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