Dhaka South City Corporation moves to curb excessive waste collection fees through zonal monitoring
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The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has launched a new oversight mechanism to curb excessive waste collection fees, mandating that regional executive officers monitor primary waste collection service providers (PCSPs) to ensure compliance with the official monthly rate of 100 taka per household.
An official order issued by DSCC Secretary Zainul Abedin on Thursday officially tasks the corporation’s ten regional executive officers with supervising daily waste management operations. These officials are now required to verify that PCSPs are collecting waste regularly and adhering strictly to the government-mandated fee. Any evidence of overcharging or operational negligence must be documented and submitted through administrative channels.
বিজ্ঞাপন
This regulatory tightening follows a series of investigative reports by *Prothom Alo*, which highlighted long-standing complaints from residents across various neighborhoods. Although the DSCC has long capped the service fee at 100 taka, many households have been forced to pay significantly higher amounts, often ranging from 150 to 200 taka or more. Residents have frequently reported being coerced into paying these inflated fees under the threat of service suspension. In many instances, the collection process is controlled by local influencers or politically affiliated individuals, leaving ordinary citizens reluctant to protest.
Beyond monitoring fee structures, the new directive instructs regional officials to inspect the entire waste disposal chain, including the management of secondary transfer stations (STSs) where waste is deposited before being transported to city landfills. Officials have been given a seven-day window to report on the efficacy of these services.
বিজ্ঞাপন
While the administrative move has been welcomed, urban planners and residents argue that supervision alone may not be sufficient. Citizens are calling for increased transparency, suggesting that the DSCC must publicly disclose the identities of authorized PCSPs, their service areas, and clear avenues for filing complaints.
Experts in urban management maintain that if the DSCC intends to eliminate systemic overcharging, it must implement a comprehensive strategy that includes publishing official provider lists, establishing formal grievance redressal mechanisms, and enforcing strict disciplinary measures against those found violating the pricing policy. Without such accountability, they warn, the practice of charging residents above the official rate will remain difficult to eradicate despite official orders.
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