“Swachhta” campaign to include technology options and ‘waste to wealth’ methodologies: Dr Jitendra Singh

 Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State for Earth Sciences; PMO; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for “Swachhta” campaign to include technology options and ‘waste to wealth’ methodologies.

The Minister said that awareness among citizens is vital so as to make Swachhta a norm, habit and inclusion in daily day to day life. Speaking on an initiative of AIIMS, where a van collects waste from labs and converts it into inert material and subsequently recycled making use of technology. Citing another example, he said that even in Kumbh, waste treatment was adopted, whereby waste-water after treatment was used for irrigation purposes. These above initiatives have enabled Swachhta to be viewed from the prism of utilising technology for becoming ‘self-reliant’.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that e-waste reprocessing and recycling enables ‘waste to wealth’ creation using varied methodologies. In this context, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that self-reliance by adopting Swachhta Campaign initiatives 5.0 is bringing about metamorphosis not only in cleaner and greener environment but also enabling people to inculcate healthy lifestyle and working methodology in the work environment. Cleaning of e-waste, reprocessing of cooking oil, technology enabled solution and digital innovation including e-filing, system-based dashboard development have enabled awareness creation.

The Union Minister cited that recycling of waste cooking oil provides the double benefit of utilising the by-product ‘ethanol’ produced in the process; at the same time, it avoids its reuse which may pose adverse effects as a health hazard. Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised that such ‘self-reliant’ initiatives would help India not to be dependent on import and strengthen our indigenous home-grown products and solutions.

On the occasion, Secretary DARPG, Shri V. Srinivas said that building upon past achievements, the DARPG is fully committed to ensuring the successful and impactful implementation of Special Campaign 5.0, assuring its dedication towards cleanliness, efficiency, transparency, and improved service delivery.

Pertinently, the Government of India has launched Special Campaign 5.0, to be observed from 2nd October to 31st October 2025, with a special focus on Swachhata (cleanliness) and reducing pendency across Government Ministries and Departments.