RAWALPINDI, March 2: Differences have developed between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Punjab government over the future of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) which is to be put under the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) according to devolution plan.

The ADB wants Wasa to continue as an independent entity.

The ADB senior implementation officer, Dr Shakeel Ahmad Khan, told Dawn that handing over of Wasa to TMA might result in wastage of huge investments in the agency.

“The agency has reached a stage where it can sustain itself without government subsidies. However, its merger with the TMA would put to waste all those years of hard work as well as huge investments that went into making Wasa a self-sufficient unit,” he said.

The ADB has conveyed its apprehensions to the Punjab government with regard to Wasa’s financial matters, tariff structure, staffing issues and infrastructure in case of the agency’s merger with the TMA.

However, a source remarked, the provincial government appeared to be too enthusiastic about handing over of Wasa to TMA and did not seem to be cognizant of future complications.

The ADB official said, “we would not have any qualms if the TMA chief or anyone takes over Wasa, which must, however, retain its independent entity.”

These differences were highlighted at the inaugural ceremony of Wasa building where Dr Khan raised this issue on behalf of the bank before the provincial works minister, Lt-Gen (Rtd) Mohammad Tariq.

Dr Khan told the minister that if the government went ahead with its plans, the presently self- sustaining Wasa might again have to start seeking government subsidies to keep itself viable. He claimed that Wasa was a huge success story that should be used as a model in similar organizations throughout the country.

The minister responded to Dr Khan’s stance by reiterating the government’s commitment to devolve Wasa to TMA and by calling upon the ADB authorities to do away with the “bureaucratic frame of mind”.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Gen Tariq said there had been instances where violation of rules was noticed on the part of district governments. In the wake of these complaints, he added, strict instructions had been issued that the district administrations and the departments placed under them would not be allowed to act freely and would be held accountable for all actions. “The new system has not only given privileges to those elected to run this system but has also made them liable to strict accountability,” he maintained.

He directed the district administration to ensure timely completion of the Khanpur Dam water supply project to save the people of city a water crisis. He also stressed that pilferage of water from main supply lines must be checked.

Speaking about the Wasa building completed at a cost of Rs19 million, he said, it was a testimony both to the corruption and inefficiency of the elected governments of the past and dedication of the present administration. “Due to sheer negligence and laxity of the political governments, the cost of this project was doubled,” he said.

He disclosed that the solid waste management programme was also being handed over to Wasa.

District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani in his speech on the occasion said that starting the water supply from Khanpur Dam on time, avoiding water shortage in the forthcoming summers and abiding by the schedule of Leh project were immediate challenges confronting the administration on this front.