(AD)JUSTING THE POOR : Differentiated Service Delivery in Solid Waste Management A Case of Sambalpur City, India

In view of fast paced economic growth accompanied with rapid urbanisation, management of municipal solid waste has emerged as one of the major environmental challenges of present times. Not many cities are however ready to meet this challenge. This is especially true for smaller cities, such as Sambalpur since these have been entrusted with the huge responsibility of managing city’s waste without enhancing their capacities to effectively perform the role. There hence is an evident gap between the demand for waste management and the services provided in these cities. Under such circumstances, it is often the poor that are left out. The economically disadvantaged face disproportionate burdens – both environmental and health. Among the several factors that determine unequal distribution of benefits and costs, the most pertinent ones are the decision making process and the role of power relations in affecting the cost benefit structure