Dr Jitendra Singh Reviews Special Campaign 6.0

• Science departments target 1,500 cleanliness campaign sites.
• MoES sets a target of 100 sites.
• E-waste segregation and scientific disposal to be prioritised.
• DSIR and MoES achieve 50% budget expenditure target.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Oct: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness and implementation timeline for Special Campaign 6.0 with Science Ministries and Departments, with a focus on cleanliness, e-waste disposal, record management and optimum utilisation of government resources.

The Science Ministries and Departments have set a target of 1,500 cleanliness campaign sites, while the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has identified 100 sites for cleanliness drives under Special Campaign 6.0.

The campaign will focus on visible cleanliness outcomes, optimum utilisation of available space, disposal of obsolete material and better utilisation of government resources.

A major focus will be the collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste. The review examined opportunities to use scientific and technological capabilities for recycling electronic waste and generating value from discarded equipment.

The campaign framework provides for systematic identification and item-wise reporting of e-waste, followed by disposal through appropriate producers, recyclers and refurbishers.

Dr Jitendra Singh stressed that identified obsolete electronic equipment should actually move through appropriate disposal and recycling channels rather than remain accumulated in government offices.

Special Campaign 6.0 will run from October 2 to October 31, 2026, following a preparatory phase undertaken during September. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) is coordinating the campaign through a common digital platform where targets and progress are updated and monitored.

The minister emphasised maintaining momentum throughout the campaign, adhering to timelines and ensuring visible and measurable outcomes.

Dr Jitendra Singh will participate in a cleanliness drive on October 2, marking the beginning of the implementation phase. The drive will cover cleanliness, e-waste segregation and scientific disposal, shredding of old files, optimum use of office space, record management and reduction of pendency.

During the review, the minister also assessed budgetary expenditure. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and MoES had achieved around 50 per cent expenditure by September 30, in line with the prescribed target.

Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated both organisations for achieving the expenditure target and reviewed their quarter-wise expenditure and implementation trajectory to ensure steady progress during the campaign period.

The meeting was attended by Prof Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology; Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR; Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; and Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, DARPG, besides senior officers and nodal officers of the concerned ministries and departments.