Taksim becomes Wasa MD for third term hiding info from PM:Daily Sun

Taksim A Khan Hiding information to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Managing Director engineer Taksim A Khan has himself the head of the state water monopoly for the third time. Sources said Taksim is still in his post with the use of a decision by the 198th board meeting last year, bypassing the 210th board meeting. The issue totally contradicts with the Wa
sa law (number 6) of 1996. Frustration runs deep at Wasa Bhaban since Taksim’s fresh appointment despite the fact that his first appointment gave birth to a barrage of controversies. It was learnt that appointment of the MD was postponed at the board meeting on September 1 last year. But before three days ago, on August 28, the then LGRD secretary Abu Alam Shaheed Khan sent a summary letter to the prime minister for appointing MD in Dhaka Wasa. The secretary suggested in the summary that Taksim can be appointed as the MD for the rest two years as per the recommendation of the board and in line with the existing law to maintain daily activities of Wasa and for the implementation of development project. The proposal was sent to the PM with the decision of the 198th meeting and keeping aside the postponed decision of the 210th. Shaheed on August 28, state minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak within six working days and the PM signed the appointment within three days on September 5. Later in the day, a letter was issued after the premier’s approval to the appointment. Preferring anonymity, a Wasa official said the ministry concerned takes seven to eight days to issue the letter of appointment after the PM’s approval, but Taksim did the job within a few hours. He also helped the Wasa secretary to receive the letter the same day. Board secretary Kazi Wasi Uddin signed the appointment contract of Wasa board with the managing director. But a secretary cannot sign any agreement without the direction of the board. The board felt embarrassed at a special meeting after Taksim received his reappointment letter without the board’s concern. The board meeting was held on MD’s reappointment at Wasa Bhaban in Karwanbazar. The minutes of the meeting, signed by DWASA chairman Engr Mohammad Rahmatullah, said, “The matter of reappointing the MD of Wasa was suspended in the 210th board meeting until the LGRD and cooperatives minister returned to the country. But a letter issued by senior assistant secretary of the ministry on September 5 said that according to the recommendation made in the 198th meeting the government approved Taksim’s appointment for two more years.” The Wasa chairman and other relevant persons called a special meeting after receiving this letter. The meeting says, “Without considering the unanimous decision reappointment based on a recommendation made in a board meeting one year ago is inconsistent with Act no. 6, section 28(1), 1996. At this moment, the Wasa board is embarrassed to make any type of decision considering the overall situation.” Rahmatullah said the MD was reappointed without the concern of the board which is illegal. Taksim is going to be the Wasa MD thrice—the longest period of time for any MD in the state entity. As a result, the board meeting of the policy formation forum was suspended. When contacted to talk about the matter, Taksim technically avoided this correspondent.