Union MoS Jitendra Singh speaks during the launch of the Special Campaign 6 Monitoring portal to track the implementation of the campaign aimed at institutionalising Swachhata and reducing pendency across government offices, in New Delhi. (Photo: ANI) NEW DELHI: Launching the dedicated web-portal for the sixth edition of govt’s ‘special campaign’ to declutter govt offices, minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said the focus will henceforth shift to responsible disposal of non-functional electronic items lying in govt offices, with annual earnings from e-waste recycling expected to touch Rs 10,000 crore in a few years.According to secretary, ministry of mines, Keshav Chandra, e-waste has become the most valuable commodity as an input for the industry. E waste, when crushed together, generates ‘black mass’, which contains 30% of critical mineral requirements. This is the reason why most advanced economies of the world have the export of black mass. “Instead of going outside seeking critical minerals, we can obtain them from e-waste recycling,” Chandra said, adding that ‘Special Campaign 6’ will serve the dual purpose of removing garbage from govt offices and obtaining value from it.The ‘special campaign’ initiative to free up space and institutionalise cleanliness across govt offices was launched in 2021 and runs each year between the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s on Oct 2 to that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Oct 31. Over the years, the swachata initiative and special campaign have helped free up over 1,000 lakh square feet of office space, led to weeding out or closure of around 2 crore files and generated a revenue of Rs 5,103 crore from scrap disposal.“These achievements reflect the expansion of swachhata campaign beyond cleanliness to efficient utilisation of govt resources, reduction of pendency, better use of public spaces and conversion of waste into wealth,” Singh said while addressing mediapersons at the launch of Special Campaign 6.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesSecretary for the department of administrative reforms and public grievances (DARPG) Nivedita Shukla Verma said the govt will ensure that e-waste collected during the special campaign is handed over only to registered recyclers and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.As many as 58 big recyclers have already registered to process the e-waste, according to Chandra.The govt had last year run a limited campaign for e-waste collection across 58 locations, placing bins in govt offices to collect non-functional and unused computers, keyboards, printers, laptops etc. The response encouraged the govt to make e-waste collection and recycling a critical component of Special Campaign 6.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘9/11 Masterminds Were Not Hiding In Caves’: India Targets Pakistan At UNSC, Flags Afghan Crisis‘Who Will Teach?’: Abhijeet Dipke Flags Teacher Shortage, School Gaps In Tribal AreasUPI MDR Row: Government Rules Out Rollback, 0.4% Merchant Charge Above Rs 2,000 From October 15Supreme Court Sets Priorities For CJP Protest Probe, Orders Witness Protection And ConfidentialityMathura SP Leader Rajan Rizvi Booked Over Alleged WhatsApp Messages to Woman‘Unacceptable’: India Summons Islamabad Envoy As Pakistan’s Ship Collides With Indian Naval UnitGurugram Hit-and-Run: Sia Says ‘Arrest Is Not Enough’, Demands Strict Action‘Iron Lady’ Sanjukta Parashar Becomes First Woman To Head CRPF’s Elite CoBRA Commando UnitIndia, US Begin Yudh Abhyas 2026 With 1,200 Troops In Uttarakhand, Focus On High-Altitude WarfareBengal Govt Transfers IPS Officer Bushra Bano After ‘Assalam Aleikum’ Video Row123Hot PicksDean Ambrose Net WorthNHL Training CampStock Market TodayRajasthan Election ResultCrude oil price todayKVS NVS Tier 2 resultBank of Baroda LBO recruitmentPunjab Lecturer Cadre admit cardUPI transactionsTop TrendingDisha Salian CaseUmar KhalidGuwahati Murder CaseSupreme CourtLebron JamesStephanie VaquerGurgaon Hit and RunRajasthan Election ResultUS Iran WarGuwahati Murder Case
NEW DELHI: Launching the dedicated web-portal for the sixth edition of govt’s ‘special campaign’ to declutter govt offices, minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said the focus will henceforth shift to responsible disposal of non-functional electronic items lying in govt offices, with annual earnings from e-waste recycling expected to touch Rs 10,000 crore in a few years.According to secretary, ministry of mines, Keshav Chandra, e-waste has become the most valuable commodity as an input for the industry. E waste, when crushed together, generates ‘black mass’, which contains 30% of critical mineral requirements. This is the reason why most advanced economies of the world have the export of black mass. “Instead of going outside seeking critical minerals, we can obtain them from e-waste recycling,” Chandra said, adding that ‘Special Campaign 6’ will serve the dual purpose of removing garbage from govt offices and obtaining value from it.The ‘special campaign’ initiative to free up space and institutionalise cleanliness across govt offices was launched in 2021 and runs each year between the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s on Oct 2 to that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Oct 31. Over the years, the swachata initiative and special campaign have helped free up over 1,000 lakh square feet of office space, led to weeding out or closure of around 2 crore files and generated a revenue of Rs 5,103 crore from scrap disposal.“These achievements reflect the expansion of swachhata campaign beyond cleanliness to efficient utilisation of govt resources, reduction of pendency, better use of public spaces and conversion of waste into wealth,” Singh said while addressing mediapersons at the launch of Special Campaign 6.
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Secretary for the department of administrative reforms and public grievances (DARPG) Nivedita Shukla Verma said the govt will ensure that e-waste collected during the special campaign is handed over only to registered recyclers and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.As many as 58 big recyclers have already registered to process the e-waste, according to Chandra.The govt had last year run a limited campaign for e-waste collection across 58 locations, placing bins in govt offices to collect non-functional and unused computers, keyboards, printers, laptops etc. The response encouraged the govt to make e-waste collection and recycling a critical component of Special Campaign 6.
