Audit flags lapses in UP's urban waste management; overhaul recommended
The audit paints a picture of a disjointed and under-resourced SWM framework in urban UP: Most of the local bodies were missing municipal plans as 93% of the test-checked urban local bodies (ULBs) failed to prepare SWM plans, even years after the state policy was formulated in 2018 — 14 months behind the deadline mandated by national rules.
Only 27% of ULBs created waste management bye-laws, many of which were inconsistent and incomplete, impeding effective enforcement and revenue collection through user charges.
Up to 50% of key supervisory roles such as chief sanitary inspectors remained vacant, leading to operational bottlenecks and oversight gaps in daily waste collection and sanitation.
Neglected awareness campaigns: Despite earmarked funds, more than half of the information, education & communication (IEC) budget remained unutilised in one-third of the reviewed ULBs. Some funds were even diverted, undermining citizen engagement efforts.
Out of 112 planned training sessions for waste management staff, only 53 were held due to administrative delays and inadequate funding, affecting service quality on the ground.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The audit offered a detailed roadmap to transform urban waste management in Uttar Pradesh.
Accelerate implementation of SWM policy; expedite preparation and adoption of SWM plans across all ULBs in alignment with the 2016 SWM Rules; ensure all municipalities frame and uniformly implement comprehensive bye-laws that empower them to regulate waste collection, segregation, penalties, and user charges.
Release funds to ULBs without delay and ensure they are utilised efficiently — particularly for IEC activities aimed at building public awareness and behaviour change.
Introduce incentives for households and waste collectors to encourage segregation at source and prevent mixing of waste through stringent monitoring protocols.
Make sanctioned material recovery facilities (MRFs), weighbridges and waste processing plants fully functional by ensuring the release of funds for machinery and civil works.
Fill vacant positions, especially at the supervisory level, and conduct regular capacity-building programmes to improve efficiency and accountability.
Implement robust systems for data collection on waste generation, transportation and disposal to inform evidence-based planning and monitoring.
Expedite the estimation and disposal of legacy waste and set up domestic hazardous waste centres and biomedical waste facilities in compliance with environmental rules.
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Audit flags lapses in UP's urban waste management; overhaul recommended
LUCKNOW A performance audit of solid waste management (SWM) in Uttar Pradesh's urban areas has revealed alarming deficiencies in planning, implementation, staffing and fund utilisation, raising urgent concerns over the state's ability to manage waste sustainably. Covering the period from April 2016 to March 2022, the audit, conducted by the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has made several key recommendations for rectifying the issues that impact both public health and urban sanitation. Up to 50% of key supervisory roles such as chief sanitary inspectors remained vacant, leading to operational bottlenecks and oversight gaps in daily waste collection and sanitation, as per the report. (File Photo) The audit paints a picture of a disjointed and under-resourced SWM framework in urban UP: Most of the local bodies were missing municipal plans as 93% of the test-checked urban local bodies (ULBs) failed to prepare SWM plans, even years after the state policy was formulated in 2018 — 14 months behind the deadline mandated by national rules. Only 27% of ULBs created waste management bye-laws, many of which were inconsistent and incomplete, impeding effective enforcement and revenue collection through user charges. Up to 50% of key supervisory roles such as chief sanitary inspectors remained vacant, leading to operational bottlenecks and oversight gaps in daily waste collection and sanitation. Neglected awareness campaigns: Despite earmarked funds, more than half of the information, education & communication (IEC) budget remained unutilised in one-third of the reviewed ULBs. Some funds were even diverted, undermining citizen engagement efforts. Out of 112 planned training sessions for waste management staff, only 53 were held due to administrative delays and inadequate funding, affecting service quality on the ground. RECOMMENDATIONS The audit offered a detailed roadmap to transform urban waste management in Uttar Pradesh. Accelerate implementation of SWM policy; expedite preparation and adoption of SWM plans across all ULBs in alignment with the 2016 SWM Rules; ensure all municipalities frame and uniformly implement comprehensive bye-laws that empower them to regulate waste collection, segregation, penalties, and user charges. Release funds to ULBs without delay and ensure they are utilised efficiently — particularly for IEC activities aimed at building public awareness and behaviour change. Introduce incentives for households and waste collectors to encourage segregation at source and prevent mixing of waste through stringent monitoring protocols. Make sanctioned material recovery facilities (MRFs), weighbridges and waste processing plants fully functional by ensuring the release of funds for machinery and civil works. Fill vacant positions, especially at the supervisory level, and conduct regular capacity-building programmes to improve efficiency and accountability. Implement robust systems for data collection on waste generation, transportation and disposal to inform evidence-based planning and monitoring. Expedite the estimation and disposal of legacy waste and set up domestic hazardous waste centres and biomedical waste facilities in compliance with environmental rules.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
CAG report flags issues related to waste mgmt capacity of ULBs
Lucknow: More capacity is needed to address the collection and disposal of waste across the state as the CAG report has flagged serious issues with the capacity of urban local bodies and has cited more than a dozen examples where focus is required to plug loopholes in the system. Though many states adopted solid waste management rules in 2016, it took another two years to frame the rules in Uttar Pradesh to enforce penalty on violators. Apart from nagar panchayats and nagar palikas, the working of municipal corporations was also found to be lacking. The audit, conducted between April 2016 and March 2022, found that out of the 45 urban local bodies evaluated, only three had implemented the rules. No instance of segregation at source was found at that time. Pointing to dismal condition, the auditors noted that between 2005 and 2015, only 15 waste treatment plants were set up, while 36 more were sanctioned in 2021-22. Only Lucknow and Ghaziabad had the capacity to deal with waste during the said period. The report noted that the average national waste treatment capacity is close to 46 tonnes, while in cities of UP that were examined, it was found to be 35 tonnes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Dubbing the treatment plant set up in Pratap Vihar under Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation as unfruitful, the report noted that though work on the plant was initiated in May 2017 with a budget of Rs 4.61 crore, it could not deliver and was not operational till June 2023. An expenditure of Rs 15.4 crore was made on treating legacy waste. Similar was the fate of the waste-to-energy plant that was envisaged in Nov 2018 with a budget of Rs 14.3 crore in Ghaziabad. The report said that delays in getting waste treatment projects operational were also detected in Lucknow (Shivri), Kanpur (Panki), and in nagar palikas and nagar panchayats in Bulandshahar, Muzaffarnagar, and Ballia. Moreover, out of 1,659 tippers deployed for waste management, only 1,118 were found to have compartments to handle the segregated waste during the said period. Making recommendations to the govt, CAG report said that the state should ensure implementation of waste management rules across all the urban local bodies, strengthening of segregation at source and doorstep waste collection. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Govt to start safe septic tank cleaning drive from Aug 15
Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure safety of sanitation workers, the housing and urban development department has decided to launch a comprehensive awareness drive on safe septic tank cleaning across the state starting Aug 15. Announcing this on its social media handle X (formerly Twitter), the urban development department stated that it will be a 15-day long IEC campaign, which will cover all 115 urban local bodies of the state. "A 15-day IEC campaign on safe septic tank cleaning will be launched across all ULBs from August 15. A preparatory meeting was held under the chairpersonship of Usha Padhee, principal secretary, H&UD department, with ULB officials through video conferencing," the announcement reads. The department has stated that the campaign will focus on community awareness, safe desludging, and promoting mechanised cleaning to ensure safety, dignity, and zero manual entry in septic tank operations. Notably, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently announced a range of social welfare benefits for the core sanitation workers, primarily the septic tank cleaners, which include insurance benefits, housing provisions, and healthcare benefits, among others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret Lives of the Romanovs — the Last Rulers of Imperial Russia! Learn More Undo The state govt in the past introduced comprehensive Odisha Urban Septage Management Guidelines-2016, which define the role of house owners as well as the urban local bodies in the construction of the septic tanks in houses. It also specified the safety measures to be followed for the septic tank cleaners and barred manual scavenging. However, due to lack of awareness and implementation issues, the state in the past witnessed several tragic incidents involving the sanitation workers. "We are aware of the situation and the risk core sanitation workers take during their day-to-day job. The awareness drive to be launched by the department will cover all these issues and raise awareness on safety," an urban development department official said. He said during the awareness drive, the civic body officials will also be sensitised on the safety of the sanitation workers. "The specified guidelines will be implemented for proper septage management in urban areas," the official added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
