Seminar

CAG-ICSSR Colloquium on State of the Finances and Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Bodies of Uttarakhand

Venue: Dr Nityanand Auditorium, Doon University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Date: 23 July, 2026

The CAG–ICSSR Colloquium (Uttarakhand Chapter) was successfully held at Doon University, bringing together eminent policymakers, academicians, auditors, researchers, and students for enriching deliberations on Fiscal Federalism & Governance, State Finances of Uttarakhand, and Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Bodies.

Shri Pavan Kumar Reddy emphasized the need to expand audit beyond Central and State departments to sectors such as health, local governance, administration, and higher education, strengthening accountability, transparency, and evidence-based governance. He underscored the significance of research on State Finances of Uttarakhand and Solid Waste Management in Hill States, while advocating research and article-writing competitions to promote policy-oriented scholarship.

Prof. Dhananjay Singh highlighted ICSSR's commitment to advancing social science research and described the CAG as the "watchdog" of public finances and a vital pillar of Indian democracy. He encouraged researchers to utilize CAG reports for academic inquiry and policy analysis, proposed workshops on interpreting audit reports, and emphasized fostering evidence-based research through academic competitions and stronger collaboration between academia and public institutions.

The Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Doon University, Prof. Surekha Dangwal observed that good governance extends beyond financial management to encompass accountability, transparency, credibility, and effective public administration. She highlighted the evolving role of the CAG as an institution that not only identifies gaps, but also strengthens governance through constructive recommendations. Describing Uttarakhand as "fragile yet fertile," she underscored the importance of sound fiscal management in a Himalayan state and emphasized that CAG reports provide invaluable primary data for research capable of shaping evidence-based public policy and sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote on Fiscal Federalism and Governance, Shri Mukesh Kumar explained Uttarakhand's fiscal landscape, emphasizing the balance between revenue generation, expenditure management, and developmental priorities. He highlighted the state's dependence on Central transfers, the fiscal challenges posed by recurring natural disasters, and the need for prudent financial planning to ensure resilient and sustainable governance.

Shri Nishant Jain examined the audit of Urban Local Bodies with a focus on solid waste management, drawing attention to the challenges created by Uttarakhand's floating population and the resulting pressure on urban infrastructure.

Dr. Mamgain presented key findings from the Performance Audit on Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Bodies, while highlighting methodological limitations and the need for caution in interpreting sampled findings. He advocated people-centric audits integrating community participation, climate resilience, public health, environmental sustainability, technology, stronger data systems, and robust research methodologies to enhance audit quality and evidence-based policymaking.

The Colloquium reaffirmed the shared commitment of ICSSR and CAG to strengthening the interface between research, public finance, and governance, while encouraging young scholars to contribute towards transparent, accountable, and sustainable public institutions in the spirit of #ViksitBharat.

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