CAG finds 15 of 18 Rajasthan ULBs still dump waste in open sites

This audit examined the end-to-end solid waste management (collection, segregation, processing, and disposal) in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Rajasthan for the period 2017-23. It assessed the adequacy of resources, efficiency of utilization, and monitoring mechanisms under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

Government of Rajasthan and its Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), specifically 18 test-checked ULBs including Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils.

• Low processing rates: Only 11-25% of waste was processed at the State level and 29-35% in test-checked ULBs, with 63-79% of waste directly dumped.
• Unutilized infrastructure: Landfill sites constructed by Jaipur and Baran at a cost of ₹12.06 crore remained unutilized due to lack of processing plants.
• Unused equipment: Compost machines procured by four ULBs between Feb 2019 and Dec 2019 were not used since installation.
• Lack of monitoring: Weigh bridges were not installed in 14 out of 18 test-checked ULBs, preventing accurate measurement of daily waste collection.
• Unspent funds: ₹11.99 crore allotted for Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities in 12 ULBs was not utilized for such activities during 2017-18 to 2021-22.
• Data inconsistencies: Waste generation data reported by ULBs differed from figures reported to the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.
• Recommendations: CAG recommended installing weigh bridges and RFID systems, enhancing processing capacity to reduce landfill dependency, and constituting Health and Sanitation committees.

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