The High Court has issued a rule asking the government to explain within four weeks why the decision of Dhaka Wasa to hike water tariff by 25% from April 1 this year should not be declared illegal.
The rule also asked why the Section 22(3) of the (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) WASA Act, 1996 should not be declared illegal.
The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam made the ruling on Monday after hearing a writ filed by advocate Tanvir Ahmed.
Earlier on June 30, the Supreme Court stayed a High Court order that issued an injunction asking Dhaka Wasa not to charge the new water tariff till August 10.
The Appellate Division chamber judge, Justice Md Nuruzzaman, passed the stay order for 16 weeks after holding a virtual hearing of an appeal filed by the state.
In light of the Supreme Court’s order, Dhaka Wasa now has no barrier to collect an extra 25% tariff from its customers, according to the lawyer.
Earlier in February, the authorities decided to increase the water tariff for households and commercial consumers in Dhaka, effective from April.
On June 15, Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Tanvir Ahmed filed the writ with the virtual bench in the interest of the public.
On June 22, the High Court issued an injunction asking Dhaka Wasa not to charge the new tariff till August 10.
Under the new tariff ceiling, residential consumers will pay Tk14.46 for each unit (1,000 litres) of water, which is Tk2.89 or 24.97% hike from the existing tariff of Tk11.57.
On the other hand, the commercial rate has jumped by 8%, or Tk2.96, to Tk40 from Tk37.04 per unit.
According to a circular, Wasa decided to raise water prices in line with government instructions as a means of adjusting production costs, because of the recent hike in gas and electricity prices, and to balance out sales with production and distribution costs.
