HC issues injunction on Wasa’s move for 25pc water price hike

The High Court today issued injunction till August 10 on Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's (Wasa) decision of hiking water price by 25 percent from April 1 this year.

The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order after holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by Advocate Tanvir Ahmed on June 15 seeking injunction on Wasa's decision.

Tanvir Ahmed placed arguments in support of the petition, while Attorney General Mahbubey Alarm opposed the petition.

Tanvir Ahmed told The Daily Star that Dhaka Wasa cannot collect the 25 percent hiked water tariff following the HC order.

The lawyer also said he will move a petition before the HC after August 10 for extending its injunction order.

He submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the High Court through virtual system, also praying to the court to declare Dhaka Wasa's move to increase water price by 25 percent illegal.

Citing the petition, Tanvir Ahmed told The Daily Star that Dhaka Wasa had increased water price by 5 percent on September 1 last year.

It has further increased the water price by 25 percent from April 1 this year which has been reported in different newspapers including The Daily Star, he said.

The advocate said most countrymen are now facing serious financial crisis and amid this situation, hiking water tariff is not only illegal but also a heartless act.

Wasa can increase the water tariff by only 5 percent in consultation with the government as per section 22 of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Act, 1996, the writ petitioner added.