Rs 175.33 cr available, only Rs 74.55 cr utilised; 31–39% waste treated; Rs 103.65 cr user charges uncollected
Jammu Tawi, Apr 15: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged serious deficiencies in Solid Waste Management (SWM) in Jammu and Kashmir, citing underutilisation of funds, poor waste processing, and weak governance mechanisms.
According to the audit report for the period ending March 2022, only Rs 74.55 crore (43%) out of the available Rs 175.33 crore was utilised during 2017–22. The report noted persistent underutilisation, ranging between 74% and 84% during these years. In 2018–19, this was partly due to non-utilisation of Rs 28.55 crore released under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), while in 2021–22, Rs 89.55 crore was released at the fag end of the financial year, limiting its effective use.
The audit revealed that only 31–39% of collected waste was treated, while nearly 18.35 lakh metric tonnes of unprocessed waste accumulated across urban local bodies (ULBs). Despite 91–99% waste collection during the period, most of it was dumped at landfills or open sites, posing serious environmental and health risks.
Audit of 17 sampled ULBs, including Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), found that prescribed methods for assessing waste generation were not followed. Instead of seasonal sampling, authorities relied on per capita estimates, leading to unrealistic assessments. Further, 16 ULBs lacked weighbridges and computerised Management Information Systems (MIS), hampering accurate waste measurement.
The report also highlighted major lapses in revenue collection. Against an estimated Rs 139.04 crore collectable as user charges, only Rs 35.39 crore was realised, leaving Rs 103.65 crore uncollected. Three ULBs collected no user charges at all, while the rest showed partial recovery.
Infrastructure gaps were equally concerning. As of March 2022, 14 out of 17 ULBs lacked waste processing facilities, resulting in unscientific dumping. Although 78 Solid Waste Management Centres (SWMCs) were approved under SBM 2.0, only 33 had been made operational by 2024–25, necessitating expedited completion.
The audit further noted the absence of dedicated facilities for Domestic Hazardous Waste (DHW), which was being disposed of along with municipal waste without segregation. Claims of safe disposal through deep burial in pits were not substantiated during inspections. Additionally, sanitary waste was not segregated at source, and no separate bins were provided for dry or non-biodegradable waste.
While land had been allotted for waste disposal to all sampled ULBs, two—MC Hiranagar and MC Rajouri—were found using unauthorised dumping sites. Poor compliance with penalties imposed by regulatory bodies was also observed, with only two out of eight penalised ULBs depositing fines.
The report underscores an urgent need to strengthen waste management systems, improve fund utilisation, and ensure scientific processing to mitigate environmental and public health risks.
