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Editorial

WASA loses crores in cooked bills

Corrupt staff collect money against fuel costs and overtime
13 January 2006
• EDITORIAL
The recent unearthing of cooked bills by a section of the WASA staff on account of fuel costs for power generators for supply of water during power outage is shocking and outrageous. During the period from July through September of last year alone the cooked bills on account of operating generators amounted to Tk 1 crore. This blatant act of corrupt practices is twice more shocking when over the years there has been no end to the sufferings of city dwellers for lack of water supply. Coupled with costs for diesel fuel, these dishonest staff also pocketed lakhs of taka on account of overtime payment for operating the generators. Apparently the WASA's Board of Directors has discussed the issue at its meetings a number of times with no visible impact on the corrupt practices whatsoever. We find the nature of the corruption to be criminal that crosses all boundaries of moral and ethical considerations.

One wonders as to how despite the knowledge of the highest body of the Administration of WASA such a practice is allowed to continue? Clearly this was possible due to a gross negligence on the part of the officials responsible for supervising the staff at various levels. This is indeed unpardonable since it directly affects one of the most essential day- to- day civic services for the public at large.

Corruption of all dimensions is already eating into the vitals of our nation and has earned for us the number one position as the most corrupt country of the world. This is one corruption we should be able to tackle here and now. Let us punish the culprits, make it visible to the public and set an example for others engaged in providing various civic services to our city dwellers that are already living under distress due to such corrupt practices. We shall anxiously await the response of the Administration on this vital issue of public interest.

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