Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General and former member of Parliament Professor Mia Golam Porwar has issued the following statement on 1 June 2020 protesting Dhaka WASA’s decision to increase tariff once again.

“The water tariff was increased in last September by 5 percent. 7 months after such tariff hike, WASA again increased the tariff for residential users by 25 percent and by 8 percent for commercial users. Miserably, when the entire nation is passing a tough time due to coronavirus pandemic situation, the decision has come into effect since last 1st April. People’s income has been reduced significantly in this pandemic situation. People are leading a deplorable life. Under such circumstances, the latest step of increasing water tariff is illogical and inhuman.

Different platforms, organizations, civil socities and experts repeatedly urged the authority not to increase tariff during this crucial time. But paying no heed to such recommendations, WASA desperately increased the tariff. Their approaches and attitudes are simply painful.
I am urging the concerned authorities to repeal the decision of increasing water tariff, particularly amid this pandemic situation.