HC seeks info on WASA MD’s salaries, allowances in 13 years

The High Court on Wednesday ordered the WASA Board to give detailed information on how much money was taken by its Managing Director (MD) Taksim A Khan as gross salaries and other benefits including performance bonuses during the last 13 years.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Kazi Md Ejarul Haque Akondo came up with the order during the hearing on a petition filed by Consumer Association of Bangladesh’s (CAB) Chairman Mubasshar Hussain challenging the legality of several decisions taken by Dhaka WASA.

The HC bench asked the WASA Board to submit this account before it within 60 days.

The HC bench also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why inaction of the authorities to remove Taksim A Khan as the MD of Dhaka WASA should not be declared illegal and appropriate steps should not be taken to remove him.

The HC bench also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain within four weeks as to why Taksim A Khan should not be removed from the post of managing director of WASA.

It also asked the government to explain why its inaction to remove Taksim A Khan from the post of managing director of WASA should not be declared illegal.

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, counsel for the petitioner, told reporters that the High Court asked the WASA Board authorities to submit the account of how much salary, bonus and other benefits have been given in the last 13 years to its MD Taksim A Khan.

Taksim A Khan has been discussed and criticised at various times. Since 2009 he has been the MD of Dhaka WASA. His tenure has been extended for the sixth time since his first appointment.

Although the water supplied by WASA is unsuitable for drinking in many areas in Dhaka, he claims that the water supplied by WASA is safe and he also drinks it without boiling it.