Wasa’s proposal to increase water price unacceptable, inhumane: CAB
The consumers’ association finds that it is inappropriate to increase the water price at a time of financial distress during the pandemic
The proposal to increase the price of water amid the ongoing crisis caused by the spread of Covid-19 is unacceptable, inhumane and has not resulted from careful consideration, said the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
"Wasa's [the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority's] proposal to increase the price at the consumer level by 5% and at the industrial level by 5% cannot be accepted in any way when the people of the country are already facing financial crisis due to the lengthy Covid-19 crisis," said CAB in a press release on Tuesday.
The consumers' association fears that the current Covid-19 situation could worsen. Increasing the price of the Wasa's water will consequently increase people's cost of living and make their lives more miserable.
"Ramadan is coming up. The prices of all essentials are rising. The people are feeling lost currently as their expenses are exceeding their incomes. If the price of water is increased amid this situation, it will be a severe blow to ordinary people," said CAB.
It further said the price of water increases every year, but people have been complaining about its poor quality for a long time.
CAB thinks that Wasa's proposal to increase the price of water due to the cost of its production is unreasonable and unacceptable.
The association has demanded a judicial process over the matter, too.