Wasa in financial crunch, unable to pay salaries to employees on time

RAWALPINDI: Like other local bodies, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) is facing financial crunch due to which payment of monthly salaries to employees on time has become a major issue.

According to credible sources, Wasa generates revenue through its own sources including water bills collections. However, due to non increase in water rates, Wasa is finding it hard to meet its expenditure particularly making payment of salaries to its employees including regular, contractual and daily wagers. Due to lack of funds, Wasa have till now sacked more than 60 daily wagers only at the pretext of lack of funds.

Over the years there has been immense raise in prices of all items and products however, Wasa on the directions of the Punjab government didn’t make any increase in charges of water tariff since the last ten years or more. Due to non increase in water charges, financial situation in this local body is getting worst.

According to sources, Wasa is charging only Rs 90 per month from the consumers who own 5 marla house. This rate is insufficient to meet the expenditures, the sources told.

Some six years ago, Wasa had decided to make increase in water charges by 30 per cent which was greatly opposed by Shakil Awan who was MNA at that time. On his opposition and on the directions of the Punjab government, Wasa reversed its decision.

According to sources, Wasa has forwarded a summary to the Punjab government, demanding of it for making increase in water tariff. If the government gives its nod then there is possibility of at least 50 percent raise in water charges, the sources confided to ‘The News’.

Similarly, the officials of Wasa on condition of anonymity also demanded increase in the rates of water tariff without any further wastage of time. If increase in water rates are not made then the financial situation would further worsen and could go out of hand, they believed.

However, official spokesman for Wasa, Umar Farooq refused to comment over the issue. “It depends upon the government to decide whether to increase be made or not in the rates of water tariff . Wasa has just to act upon the directions of the government,” he added. He also expressed his reservation to answer whether the department is facing problem of shortage of funds or not.