Telangana CAG report flags financial gaps, poor waste management in local bodies
Hyderabad: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed out serious problems in Telangana’s Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in its latest report for the year ending March 2022. The report highlights gaps in finances, staff, and waste management.
PRIs face misappropriations and revenue shortfalls
Telangana has a population of 3.50 crore, with 2.14 crore living in rural areas. Rural literacy is 57.3% (male 75.04%, female 57.99%). The state has 32 Zilla Praja Parishads (ZPPs), 539 Mandal Praja Parishads (MPPs), and 12,769 Gram Panchayats (GPs).
The CAG report noted 4,290 pending misappropriation cases involving ₹35.37 crore up to 2021-22. PRIs received ₹4,344.88 crore in total, spending ₹306.72 crore on revenue and ₹253.76 crore on capital projects.
ULBs show uneven revenue and spending
Among urban bodies, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) collected ₹3,445.76 crore, while 141 other ULBs collected ₹2,410.81 crore. GHMC spent ₹2,555.74 crore on revenue and ₹3,091.06 crore on capital works. Other ULBs spent ₹1,476.93 crore on revenue and ₹1,362.02 crore on capital projects.
The report found poor revenue collection, including GHMC not charging the Environment Impact Fee in 1,052 cases, causing a ₹2.29 crore loss. Library cess collections were also low, with ULBs short by ₹324.96 crore.
Serious gaps in waste management
Telangana generated 9,965 tonnes of waste per day (TPD) in 2020-21, which was 6.23% of India’s total waste. GHMC landfilled 991 TPD, while 1,444 TPD from other ULBs went to open dumps. In 2021-22, GHMC generated 6,166 TPD.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), ₹552 crore was allocated for waste management (2017-22), but 37% remained unused in the ULBs checked. Staff shortages were high: GHMC had 39% vacant posts in waste departments, and other ULBs had 50% vacancies. GHMC also had ₹47.77 crore in uncollected tipping fees.
Construction and demolition waste is poorly processed
GHMC generated over 20 lakh MT of construction and demolition (C&D) waste between 2018-22, but only 3.16 lakh MT was processed. Large unprocessed stock remains at Jeedimetla (3.51 lakh MT) and Fathullaguda (7.11 lakh MT) plants.
Experts urge urgent reforms
The CAG report shows the need to use funds better, fill staff vacancies, and improve waste management. Experts say fixing these issues is essential for better services, cleaner cities, and stronger finances in both rural and urban areas.
