Cleanliness Survey 2022: Oppn alleges scam, seeks inquiry as Lucknow slips five places

The state capital slipped five places in the latest Swachh Survekshan (cleanliness survey) to be ranked 17th among 45 cities, with above a million people. Among 100 cities across country, Lucknow is ranked a distant 52nd.

This slip has now attracted opposition criticism about the policies of the BJP-dominated Lucknow Municipal Corporation.

“An inquiry must be set up to probe into the misuse of funds by LMC officials as a hefty sum must have been paid for solid waste management. The picking and transportation of solid waste too has become costly as there has been sharp increase in fuel prices. Despite all this, Lucknow has fared poorly in the rankings,” said leader of the opposition in LMC House Sayyed Yawar Hussain Reshu.

“More than 30 agencies were engaged in supplying manpower as sanitation workers for LMC, yet the city’s cleanliness aspect is dismal. Garbage is rotting in some areas and landfill sites are unable to treat waste. There is a big scam in waste management in Lucknow,” he added.