WASA chief seeks transfer in midst of monsoon

As monsoon rains loom large, the agency responsible for draining the rainwater is witnessing an uncertain situation, with its chief wanting to relinquish his post.

The managing director of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Zahid Hussain Khemtio, has informed local government authorities as well as the director-general of the Hyderabad Development Authority (WASA), which is the parent organisation of WASA, about his decision.

Speaking to The Express Tribune the MD confirmed that he wants to be transferred. However, he did not disclose the reason that prompted him to seek removal from the position. An official privy to the state of affairs alleged that some senior officials are continuously nagging Khemtio and that they are also allegedly creating impediments for him.

"I have requested for my transfer. Kindly bring your MD," he wrote in a WhatsApp text message to HDA DG Ghulam Muhammad Qaimkhani on Wednesday morning, another official, who also requested anonymity, revealed to The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, Qaimkhani said that he had sent Khemtio a WhatsApp message, pointing out that an illegal hydrant is being operated in Gulistan-e-Sarmast area and that he should suspend the relevant officer. But in reply the MD said he wanted to quit his post.

"He is an intelligent officer but he needs to set his priorities right," said Qaimkhani, claiming that he has been trying to assist the MD by helping him with arranging funds for WASA and in other ways. Qaimkhani tacitly suggested that Khemtio has been failing to manage things in the organisation and that the complaints of consumers, which the MD is supposed to deal with, often land at his office and require his intervention. He said he will again take the additional responsibility of supervising WASA's work especially during the monsoon season because the MD is no longer in coordination with him.

"WASA from 1992 to April, 2021, was a different organisation. Its outlook will be changed slowly and gradually as I am facing numerous difficulties since my posting three months ago," Khemtio wrote as his Facebook status recently. He was posted as the MD on April 16, 2021. "WASA has never learnt from history. Illegal connections at PS 1 [pumping station number 1] transformer in Qasimabad show that we are sleeping on wrongdoings. Encroachers are thriving on government utilities without paying bills. Hundreds of obstacles have to be surmounted," he wrote on his Facebook page on July 11.

Khemtio had also initiated action against some big builders and developers, who had laid a drainage line to the northern sewage treatment plant illegally in order to drain sewage from housing schemes. However, an official of WASA claimed that some high-ups in the HDA backed those builders and despite Khemtio's efforts to register an FIR against them, a police case could not be lodged. "He has been working hard and till late night, moving from one pumping station to another to ensure that the drainage system worked efficiently during the rains," the official said.

On Tuesday, Khemtio also declared that the ban against unlicensed plumbers working illegally on WASA's water supply pipelines will be vigorously enforced. He warned plumbers that they would face a penalty of Rs50,000 or up to six months imprisonment if WASA found them meddling with its network. Simultaneously, he offered the opportunity of acquiring licenses from WASA to the plumbers, assuring that the process has been simplified.

Sources in HDA and WASA suggested that Khemtio will likely be transferred from the post. "Perhaps, the LG department is only waiting to find his substitute."

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2021.