Only one house in US, bought by wife: Taqsem A Khan
Dhaka WASA managing director Taqsem A Khan said his family has only one house in the US and there is no authenticity of the news of his having 14 houses there.
He said, "There is only one house which is bought by my wife. There are no other houses there."
Tasqem A Khan said this while talking to newsmen at his office of WASA Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.
A report titled 'WASA Taqsem's 14 houses in the US' was published in a national daily on Monday.
The report was prepared based on allegations submitted at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
When an ACC lawyer drew the attention of the High Court, the court said the ACC can investigate the matter.
In the wake of discussion and criticism of the news, Taqsem A Khan called newsmen of several news media and presented his explanation. However, all newsmen of the media were not allowed to enter the WASA Bhaban. Many newsmen were turned back from the gate of WASA Bhaban.
Taqsem A Khan told newsmen, "The news of buying 14 houses in the US is utterly false. It is right that I have US citizenship. My family members, including my wife, are residents of the US. I was called from the US and assigned the responsibility of WASA."
He said his wife and children are well established in the US, so it is not a big deal to buy a house there. Tasqem said, "There is a house in the name of my wife and that cannot be called a house as that is an apartment."
The report published in the national daily said Taqsem owns 14 houses worth over Tk 10 billion in the US. Taqsem bought the houses by laundering money from Bangladesh. Several intelligence agencies including Interpol have started investigations on his source of income and process of transactions.
Taqsem A Khan is in charge of WASA for over a decade. His family lives in the US. He stays for a specific period there to pass time with family members. There is an instance that he discharges duties staying in the US. He applied to continue as WASA MD while staying in the US, but the WASA board did not approve.
In the latest development, the salary of WASA MD has been increased by around Tk. 175,000 when the Covid-19 pandemic has been ravaging the country and its economy. With this, Taqsem A Khan’s current monthly net salary is Tk 625,000. The increase is 421 per cent in the last 12 years. At the same time, the WASA authorities have also ensured that no other MD could draw the same amount as salary.
Although Taqsem A Khan spoke at the press conference, the entrance of newsmen in the WASA Bhaban was restricted. Special correspondent of Samakal, Amitosh Pal, speaking to Prothom Alo, said, "Receiving news of the press conference, I went to the WASA Bhaban at around 30:30am. Security guards there were allowing newsmen as per list. At that time, newsmen from print, television and online media were waiting there. They were not allowed to enter."
Speaking to Prothom Alo, WASA deputy chief public relations officer AM Mostafa Tarique said, "WASA didn't organise any formal press conference. Several newsmen want to know the statement of WASA MD about the published report. Those who had appointments talked to the MD."