The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the recruitment process for Managing Director of Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WASA) should not be declared scrapped..

The HC bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar passed the order after hearing a writ petition.

It also suspended the recruitment process for the appointment of the Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (WASA) on a three-year contract basis.

The Local Government Division Secretary and authorities concerned have been made respondent to the rule which is returnable in four weeks.

On 14 August, a circular was issued for the appointment to the position of Managing Director of Dhaka WASA.

Md Liakat Ali filed a writ petition seeking the suspension of the circular.

Barrister Mamunur Rashid, a counsel of the petitioner, said the circular stated that applications were being invited from qualified Bangladeshi nationals in good health who hold at least a postgraduate degree, BSc in Engineering, or an equivalent qualification for the post of Managing Director of Dhaka WASA on a three-year contractual basis.

However, candidates currently employed in, or having previously served in, any government, semi-government, autonomous, or self-governing organization must hold a position equivalent to at least the third-grade scale under the National Pay Scale 2015.

According to the circular, the Managing Director will be responsible to the Dhaka WASA Board for planning, managing, and overseeing the authority’s day-to-day and development activities.

The detailed duties of the Managing Director will be defined under the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Act, 1996.

The candidate must have at least 20 years of senior-level experience in the water supply and sanitation sector or in general administration and management.