DHAKA: US citizen Taksim A Khan has made the WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) a den of looting through holding the power illegally for three terms.
Violating the rules, he got twice term extensions sending confusing files to the Prime Minister Office (PMO).
Allegation raised against Taksim for embezzling around Tk 2,000 crore from 10 mega projects in last five years. And during the third extension, he embezzled many more money from three large projects.
After joining WASA in 2009 as MD, he completed only a project and others are under tunnel.
A syndicate which is allegedly led by Taskim took the projects in the name of water problem solving and its examination and observation.
A water refinery has been being established in Lohajaong upazila of Munshiganj to supply 45 crore liters water per day from Padma River. The project was taken in 2002, but it is still in progress.
However, the government inked a deal with China on October 25, 2012 to implement the project.
The cost of the implement the project including construction of the refinery, set up 32.41 kilometers pipeline has been estimated at Tk 3,509 crore. Among the cost, Chine’s EXIM Bank will provide Tk 2,413 crore as loan and rest will be carried out by government. The project is scheduled to end in June, 2016.
The Taksim Syndicate managed to loot some Tk 550 crore in the name of primary costs of the project.
Another project to set up water refinery in Khilkhet to supply 50 crore liters per day to the city from Meghna River financed by Asian Development Bank (ADB) also has been taken. The estimate cost has been set at Tk 5,200 crore, but there is no initiative seen to implement the project.
Dhaka WASA has taken another project to establish a well-field in Tetulzhoro-Bhartuka area under Savar upazila to supply 15 crore liters per day in city.
South Korean government agreed to invest in the project which cost estimated at Tk 397.39 crore.
From the project, MD Taksim looted crores of money in the name of primary costs of the project.
The sources said the WASA completed their responsibility till taking the projects which does not see the light of implementation.
The authority does not get satisfactory result though they have been spending huge money to set up deep tube well and transplant. So, the WASA has been taken long-term project from 2011 to solve the problems.
Among the projects, Sayedabad Water Refinery Fez-2 has been implemented. But the other three refineries establishments halted in planning process.
Taskim said the development of ‘Dhaka Water Supply Sector Development’ project is limited because the authority did not get permission of Road cutting from Dhaka City Corporation. But they expected that the allocated money will be spent under ADB.
The five projects to increase surface water financed by ADB, China and France government have also been taken but WASA failed to implement those.
Otherwise, the water specialists said that the situation would be worse if the authority does not take any action to increase the amount of surface water within 10 years.
Taksin remains WASA MD illegally as he does not fulfill the requirements for the post, but appointed for first time.
In the second time, the term period had been extended without examination and proper approval of Prime Minister and for the third time the period extended without board recommendation.
Local government and WASA sources said all are informed about the illegal appointed of Taskim but none can be able to protest against him because of his power.
So, the WASA MD carried out the misdeed as his own wish putting WASA, which is responsible for supply water and sewerage system of around two crore people in Dhaka and Narayanganj, in a vulnerable situation.
While asking the MD in this regard, he said “There is no base of such allegations. This is the conspiracy against me and vicious move for insulting me.”
Sources said, the WASA board gave circulation in two national dailies on May 31, 2009 to appoint WASA MD which required 20-year experience in administration or 20-year experience in sanitation and water supply.
However, Taksim had 10-years experience. Though, he showed other experiences in his bio-data.
It is heard that, Taksim got lowest number in the test, but achieved 1st position.
A total of 15 people have been appointed as WASA MD from 1996 to 2009 as per circular which said that after the test the authority will recommend the eligible person for the post.
But, denying the rules, the WASA board recommended for Taksim for more three years before completing his tenure.
However, the first term of WASA MD Taksim ended on September 14 in 2012.
Dhaka WASA Board sources said they decided to give circular to appoint new MD in 2012. Being informed, engineer Taksim pressured the ex-chairman of the Dhaka WASA engineer M Rahamatullh to recommend him in the ministry for time extension.
There is a rule to send the justified recommendation to the PMO for the time extension. But in the 2nd term, the recommendation for Taksim did not sent PMO. Also denying the rules and regulation, Taksim’s tenure extended for a year.
According to the Rules of Business 1996, PM will give approval of the appointment of WASA MD and as per Dhaka WASA ordinance the WASA MD will be appointed for three years.
But denying those rules, Taksim has been appointed for more two years in second term and more a year for third term.
After getting in power for second term Taksim illegally step up for third time as his tenure for the second term ended on October 14 in 2013. But, on September 1 in 2013, the WASA board decided to give circular for MD appointment after discussing with LGRD minister.
Sources said being informed about the matter, Taksim sent a illegal MD appointment summary to the PMO managing the LGRD ministry which was siged by state minister Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan.
But, the summary should be signed with minister. However, Taksim managed to extend the period of his tenure.
According to some documents, the extension approval came on September 5 in 2013.
BDST: 1319 HRS, MAR 01, 2015
