Cleanliness Pays: Special Swachhata Campaign 6.0 Generates Rs 491 Crore from Scrap
Union Minister Jitendra Singh reveals Special Swachhata Campaign 6.0 has covered over 8 lakh sites and earned Rs 491 crore via scrap disposal.
The government's drive for cleanliness is not just tidying up offices but is also proving to be a financial windfall. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Monday that the Special Swachhata Campaign 6.0 has achieved remarkable milestones, covering 8,34,509 cleanliness sites and generating a staggering Rs 491.28 crore through the disposal of scrap as of October 19.
A Massive Leap in Scale and Revenue
The current iteration of the campaign has shown a dramatic increase in scale compared to the previous year. Minister Singh highlighted that the number of sites covered has grown 3.03 times, jumping from 2,75,432 during the same period of Special Campaign 5.0 in 2025.
The financial gains have also seen a sharp rise. Revenue from scrap disposal climbed to Rs 491.28 crore, up from Rs 304.72 crore last year. Additionally, the campaign has successfully freed up 116 lakh square feet of office space, surpassing the 113.12 lakh square feet cleared in the previous edition.
Top Contributors to the Drive
Certain departments have emerged as leaders in this cleanliness mission:
- Department of School Education and Literacy: Reported the highest number of cleanliness campaign sites at 4,15,353.
- Ministry of Railways: Led the way in revenue generation, contributing Rs 425.06 crore through scrap disposal.
- Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG): Demonstrated space optimization by freeing 1,200 square feet on a single floor of its office.
Beyond Just Cleaning: A Holistic Approach
Minister Singh explained that the campaign has evolved significantly over time. What started as a simple effort to clear physical files has now expanded into a comprehensive waste management strategy. The scope now includes:
- Management of electronic files and e-waste.
- Disposal of obsolete materials.
- Clearing pending references and public grievances.
- Reviewing both physical and digital archives to optimize office utility.
"What began with the clearance of physical files has expanded to cover electronic files, e-waste management and the disposal of obsolete materials, with revenue generation through scrap disposal emerging as an important component," said Minister Jitendra Singh.
Push for Sustainability and Innovation
The Minister emphasized the need for scientific e-waste management and the adoption of technologies that promote recycling. He specifically mentioned the potential for reusing waste materials, including plastics and used cooking oil, to create a more sustainable ecosystem.
In a move toward greener governance, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) informed the review meeting that it has adopted electric vehicles for departmental use, aligning its operations with the goals of Swachhata.
The Road Ahead for October
With the campaign running from October 2 to October 31, Minister Singh urged all Secretaries to extend these activities to field offices and establishments nationwide. He called for dedicated one-day cleanliness drives and encouraged departments to assess their office space based on "utility versus availability" to ensure maximum efficiency.
The review meeting saw participation from several high-ranking officials, including DARPG Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma, DoPT Secretary Rachna Shah, and secretaries from the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Department of Biotechnology.