Local bodies overspending, but waste disposal poor

Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 15

The urban local bodies (ULBs) in Jammu and Kashmir are spending funds lavishly, exceeding the limit set by the Centre, but the solid waste management system in the Jammu region is nowhere in sight and towns and cities are ‘drowning’ in garbage.

In a startling revelation, the per capita cost on operation and maintenance of solid waste management and storm water drainage during 2011-2016 ranged between Rs 214 and Rs 3,159, which was higher than Rs 208 recommended by the High Powered Expert Committee set up by the Union Ministry of Urban Development.

“Despite incurring higher per capita cost, the services delivered by the urban local bodies were restricted to cleaning of lanes, drains, transporting and disposing of waste in an unscientific manner. The doorstep collection of waste, its segregation and scientific disposal was not done,” says the Accountant General audit report.

As per the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission, the local bodies should recover at least the operation and maintenance cost of the services rendered to the public. The user charges were fixed in the range of Rs 5 to Rs 100 per month for the sanitation service.

“It was, however, observed that the urban local bodies had neither prepared a complete list of households, shops and other establishments from whom the user charges were to be recovered nor had they put in place a system of issuance of bills against the service delivered,” the report reveals.

The report has also expressed surprise and concern over the failure of the government to establish a monitoring mechanism to track the services delivered to people.

The monitoring of services by the urban local bodies is an important tool for ensuring timely and quality services to the public.

The audit did not find any monitoring and reporting system at the executive officers level.

“To promote accountability in service delivery, it is essential that regular feedback of services delivered by the field staff is submitted to the higher authorities for review and remedial measures,” the report said.

Of the 80 urban local bodies in J&K, only the Municipal Committee of Rajouri, Akhnoor and Sunderbani have the monitoring mechanism in place.

The audit has revealed that lack of monitoring mechanism at the higher levels had the risk of either non-delivery or inadequate delivery of services, which resulted in not achieving sanitation and leaving room for health and environmental hazards.