CAB urges withdrawal of Ctg Wasa's proposed 5% water tariff hike
Consumer body says price increase is unjustified without improving service quality.
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has called for the withdrawal of a proposal to increase water tariffs by 5% for residential and commercial consumers of the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), saying the move is unjustified without improvements in service quality.
In a statement issued today (2 August), the consumer rights body said raising water prices without ensuring reliable supply and addressing long-standing irregularities and mismanagement would place an additional burden on consumers.
CAB said there would be no need to increase tariffs if administrative weaknesses, wastage and irregularities were eliminated.
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The organisation alleged that despite operating for 63 years, Chattogram Wasa has failed to meet the city's water demand, with around 30% of areas still lacking a reliable supply.
It also claimed that consumers in many areas continue to face problems such as dirty and foul-smelling water, shortages and leakages.
CAB said the proposed tariff increase would further raise the cost of living at a time when people are already struggling with higher prices of essential goods and services, describing the move as "anti-public interest".
The organisation also raised concerns over alleged irregularities within Chattogram Wasa. It noted that although a committee was formed in 2019 to investigate complaints over average billing affecting 27,000 consumers, the issue remains unresolved.
CAB called for greater transparency in water production, cost calculations and the distribution system.
It further alleged irregularities in the implementation of various Wasa projects, the election of consumer representatives and the authority's management, urging investigations and appropriate action.
The organisation said uninterrupted, safe and quality water supply must be ensured before any tariff increase is considered. It also called for an investigation into alleged corruption and internal irregularities to make Chattogram Wasa more consumer-friendly.
The statement was signed by CAB Central Committee Vice-President SM Nazer Hossain, Chattogram Divisional General Secretary Kazi Iqbal Bahar Saberi, City President Jasmine Sultana Paru, General Secretary Ajay Mitra Shanku, Organisational Secretary Jannatul Ferdous, Joint Secretary Mohammad Salim Jahangir, and Youth CAB Chattogram City President Abu Hanif Noman.
