Alleging that a vested interest group was attempting to replace him, Taqsem A Khan, the recently reappointed managing director of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), has said it is his work that motivated the government to reappoint him.
Taqsem, who got the charge for the sixth time, made the statement on Friday while replying to a question at a press conference held at Dhaka Wasa headquarters in Karwan Bazar, to share the achievement of Dhaka Wasa in the last 10 years and the future plans.
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Taqsem’s claim comes two days before the High Court is due to deliver its ruling on a writ challenging his reappointment as the Dhaka Wasa MD for the sixth time.
The High Court is set to deliver its verdict on Sunday.
Dhaka Wasa board recommended reappointing Taqsem as MD for another three-year term on September 17, and on October 1 media report confirmed his reappointment.
Pointing out his achievements, Taqsem claimed that during his tenure from 2009 to 2020, he had brought good governance in Dhaka Wasa office that allowed less corruption, less system loss, and more revenue for them.
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On July 21, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) also raised question over repeated reappointment of an officer for the same post quoting media and information from other sources that rules and regulations have been violated on each occasion of renewing his appointment.
While presenting the achievements of Dhaka Wasa in the last 10 years, Taqsem said there were five major factors that he had to face during his tenure – people’s mind set, bureaucratic problems, lack of transparency, unionism, and vested interest groups.
Replying to a question, he alleged that a vested interest group tried to replace him. They could be from his own office or from other government offices or outside of the government.
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He blamed the vested group for spreading fabricated information, lack of campaign, positive publicity, and lack of public interaction as key for the mind set among people.
Drainage management
Replying to a question over the drainage management system in the city, Taqsem opined that the storm-water drainage management should be handled by a single authority.
Terming the management system as unfortunate, he said at present seven authorities are looking after the management - Dhaka Wasa, the city corporations, Bashundhara Group for its own residential area, Rajuk, Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Cantonment Board respectively.
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The drainage management should be given to the city corporations as the solid waste management is a part of their duty which is followed worldwide, Taqsem said.