Aafrin Kidwai 
Picture credit: by theblowup from Unsplash
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has pointed out that the management of solid waste by the urban local bodies (ULBs) in Himachal Pradesh was ineffective in controlling waste disposal in a scientific manner and keeping the urban areas clean.
According to The Times of India, the report tabled in the Himachal assembly recently stated that Government of India had not released the performance grant of Rs 32.44 crore for the period 2016-20. It said that variation between the achievement reported by the ULBs and position observed during audit indicated that the ULBs were not acknowledging deficiencies in the various stages of the solid waste management process.
The report has suggested putting in place a mechanism with several measures:
- regular collection of user charges for financing recurring as well as capital expenditure for strengthening infrastructure
- strengthen waste collection system with reporting and monitoring on collection, segregation and disposal of solid waste
- strengthening of waste segregation mechanism (this includes collecting waste in segregated form, placing separate waste collection and storage bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste and transporting of waste.
