ACC unearths 'ghosts bills' issued to DWASA clients

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) has issued 'ghost bills' to some of its clients without checking meters, a team of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) revealed on Sunday.

The irregularity came to light during an ACC drive at WASA MODS Zone-6 in the city's Fakirapool, said ACC deputy director Pranab Kumar Bhattacharjee.

The drive was conducted following the complaints of harassment and irregularities against the service provider, received by the ACC's hotline-106.

During the crackdown, the anti-graft watchdog observed that consumers of different areas have been facing discrimination in getting water as pump operators demand bribes to supply sufficient water.

Scrutinising bills of different commercial clients randomly, the ACC team found massive mismatch among some of the bills of commercial connections as these were quite unreal comparing to the clients' demand of water.

However, talking with the revenue inspectors of WASA, the anti-graft authority came to know that WASA officials sometimes issue bills without checking meters.

The commission warned the high officials of WASA MODS Zone-6 of taking stern measures if such irregularities continue in future.

A six-member team led by ACC assistant director Abdul Wadud conducted the drive on the day.

[email protected]