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Absence of reliable and complete data about quantum of waste generated in Bangalore city has hampered the civic body - Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to discharges its obligatory function of solid waste management, said the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
CAG in its report, on local bodies for year ended March 2013 tabled in the state legislature, said the BBMP’s non-preparation of contingency plan and inadequate institutional mechanism has rendered waste management programmes ineffective.
A performance audit of solid waste management in BBMP showed, inter alia, the absence of a notified policy for solid waste management, resulting in lack of direction for effective management and scientific disposal of waste.
Consequently, the main objectives of minimising the burden on the landfills, as envisaged in Municipal Solid Waste Rules and prevention of environmental degradation were not achieved, pointed out CAG.
BBMP functions was also affected due to inadequate operational controls which resulted in weak financial management, leading to unfruitful and excess expenditure as well as diversion of funds.
“BBMP had lost the assistance of Rs 280.17 crore due to delay in preparation of master plan. Efficiency in collection of waste was poor and no efforts had been made to promote waste segregation. Lack of scientific processing facilities at landfill sites and non-compliance with the rules resulted in open dumping of mixed wastes leading to environmental pollution.”
“Adequate efforts to mobilise revenue resources through user charges were not made to meet the cost of operation and maintenance for waste management. Cases of improprieties in contract management of works relating to waste management wherein payment of Rs 630.28 crore made to contractors for packages and additional works were also observed,” the report added.
Lack of monitoring by BBMP and Urban Development Department resulted in unscientific disposal of wastes posing potential public health hazards.
Some observations made by CAG on BBMP were: Wasteful expenditure - Failure of BBMP in ensuring availability of land before commencement of works led to stoppage of the project proposed for treatment of sewage entering the storm water drain of Vrishabhavathi valley. This has resulted in wasteful expenditure of Rs 7.46 crore and defeated the very objective of keeping the environment clean.
Road markings - Executive Engineer, C V Raman Nagar division of BBMP executed the work of providing road markings on roads where these were not required, resulting in an avoidable expenditure of Rs 22.50 lakh.
Doubtful execution of works - Potholes filling work and maintenance of roads in Ward No 86 of BBMP had been completed at a cost of Rs 15.40 lakh. However, within 20 days of completion, an identical estimate was prepared incorporating the items of works already completed and the works were executed again by incurring an expenditure of Rs 15.40 lakh, which was doubtful.
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