LUCKNOW, Aug. 13 -- A performance audit of solid waste management (SWM) in Uttar Pradesh's urban areas has revealed alarming deficiencies in planning, implementation, staffing and fund utilisation, raising urgent concerns over the state's ability to manage waste sustainably. Covering the period from April 2016 to March 2022, the audit, conducted by the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has made several key recommendations for rectifying the issues that impact both public health and urban sanitation. The audit paints a picture of a disjointed and under-resourced SWM framework in urban UP: Most of the local bodies were missing municipal plans as 93% of the test-checked urban local bodies (ULBs) failed to prepare SWM plans, even years after the state policy was formulated in 2018 - 14 months behind the deadline mandated by national rules. Only 27% of ULBs created waste management bye-laws, many of which were inconsistent and incomplete, impeding effective enforcement and revenue collection through user charges. Up to 50% of key supervisory roles such as chief sanitary inspectors remained vacant, leading to operational bottlenecks and oversight gaps in daily waste collection and sanitation. Neglected awareness campaigns: Despite earmarked funds, more than half of the information, education & communication (IEC) budget remained unutilised in one-third of the reviewed urban local bodies . Some funds were even diverted, undermining citizen engagement efforts. Out of 112 planned training sessions for waste management staff, only 53 were held due to administrative delays and inadequate funding, affecting service quality on the ground....