Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 23: Notwithstanding thrust from several quarters on evolving comprehensive action plan for disposal of solid waste in scientific manner, nearly 7000 tonnes of municipal solid waste is being dumped by Municipal Committees of the Jammu district in open space, on river banks and nullahs every year thereby putting the human health at risk and polluting the nearby water bodies.
These startling revelations have been made by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its latest report on Jammu district. The Municipal Committee of Akhnoor, the area being represented by the Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma in the State Legislative Assembly, is dumping 2190 tonnes of municipal solid waste on the banks of River Chenab every year.
Similarly, Municipal Committee of Khour, the area being represented by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, who is also holding the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development Department, is dumping 730 tonnes of municipal solid waste in open land outside the town.
The Municipal Committee of Bishnah is dumping 1095 tonnes of municipal solid waste every year in Aik Nallah while as Jourian Municipal Committee is dumping 365 tonnes of garbage/solid waste in Trotti nullah.
According to the CAG report, Municipal Committee of R S Pura is dumping 2007 tonnes of municipal solid waste in Tawi near Badyal Brahmana while as Gho Manhasa Municipal Committee is disposing 292 tonnes of waste in land fill every year. The Arnia Municipal Committee is dumping 219 tonnes of solid waste in pond near bus stand and Aik Nallah.
Observing that solid waste management programme envisages proper treatment of garbage, plastic bags, iron scrap, domestic waste and conversion into bio-degradable compost manure for further use for farming purposes and consequent generation of income, the CAG report said, “for this purpose the 12th Finance Commission had framed guidelines for preparation of comprehensive action plan for implementation of solid waste management including composting and waste to energy programmes”.
However, during the scrutiny of records of Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu it came to fore that though the proposals/ Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for solid waste management had been submitted by these seven Municipal Committees, only plans proposing requirement of vehicle/ equipment were submitted by it to the Government.
“Due to this, the Urban Local Bodies received only Rs 0.45 crore against the allocation of Rs 0.92 crore. Moreover, the Department could utilize Rs 0.29 crore only out of the available funds on procurement of Autos and Tippers etc”, the CAG report said, adding “the non-release of balance funds of Rs 0.46 crore by the Government of India was due to poor utilization of funds as well as non-submission of Utilization Certificates”.
The Director Local Bodies stated that the Municipal Committees of Jammu division could not bear the huge expenditure out of their meager income to construct solid waste management plant for disposal of refuse. But the reply was found untenable by the CAG as the funds were to be released for solid waste management by the Government of India under the 12th Finance Commission Award, which would not affect the meager finances of the Committees.
Stating that there was shoddy planning for implementation of programme, the CAG has drawn a conclusion that non-implementation of solid waste management programme in the towns compelled all the Municipal Committees to dump garbage/solid waste in open space, on river bank and nallahs etc thereby putting human health at risk besides polluting the nearby water bodies.
“The construction of solid waste plant at Akhnoor was taken up in 2007-08 under UIDSSMT at an estimated cost of Rs 1.65 crore. However, the work could not be started due to unsuitability of the land identified for the purpose”, the CAG report said, adding “the procurement of vehicles and equipment before completion of the plant led to blocking of Rs 0.41 crore which was indicative of faulty planning of the Department”.
The CAG has recommended that comprehensive action plan should be evolved for effective solid waste management to save water bodies from pollution and proper planning and monitoring of the schemes for better results.
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