Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator, Md Abdus Salam, has warned that legal action will be taken against contractors if they charge more than Tk100 for collecting waste from households as per the fixed rate.
He made this statement while speaking as the chief guest at a special cleanliness and mosquito eradication drive (Crash Programme) in the Shahidnagar Crematorium area of Lalbagh. Dhaka-7 constituency MP Hamidur Rahman was present as a special guest at the event.
The programme was organised in DSCC’s Ward No 24 as part of a month-long special cleanliness and mosquito eradication initiative by DSCC following a recent surge in mosquito infestation. Around 200 workers from DSCC’s waste management and health departments participated in the drive, which began at 3pm.
They cleaned canals, drains, sewers, and footpaths, and also sprayed mosquito insecticide. A public awareness rally with the participation of local residents was also held during this time.
At the inaugural event, Administrator Md Abdus Salam said, “If anyone demands more than the fixed Tk100 as the waste collection bill from households, you inform the city corporation. If the complaint is proven, the contract of the contractor responsible for waste collection will be cancelled.”
Following the directives of the prime minister, the administrator also announced the reduction of registration fees for burials in DSCC cemeteries and cremations in crematoriums from Tk1,000 to Tk500.
Calling upon BNP leaders, activists, and the general public to cooperate with the City Corporation, he said, “Dhaka city is the face of Bangladesh. When people come from all over the world, they understand the condition of the country by seeing Dhaka. Therefore, Dhaka must be made clean and livable. The Honorable Prime Minister has spoken about the ‘Clean Dhaka, Green Dhaka’ programme.”
Referring to Old Dhaka as “Adi Dhaka” (Original Dhaka), the administrator said, “We want Old Dhaka to be the most developed part of the South City. Our goal is to ensure the street lights work properly here, waste is cleaned regularly, and mosquitoes remain under control.”
Regarding party leaders and activists, he said, “Many have suffered over the long 17 years. Some have lost their businesses, some their homes, some have been disabled. We also need to take responsibility for them.” He stated that just as allowances are being given to participants of the July uprising, efforts will be made to discuss with the prime minister and systematically take measures to assist the affected families.
Present at the event were DSCC Chief Waste Management Officer Air Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, Chief Health Officer Jahane Ferdous, along with departmental heads and local leaders.
