Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized a transformative approach to the Government’s cleanliness initiative during a high-level review meeting on the implementation of Special Campaign 5.0 at New Delhi. He called for a nationwide mass movement that harnesses public participation, innovation, and private sector engagement.
Dr. Singh stated that the campaign must evolve beyond mere symbolic efforts. He insisted on the need to institutionalize cleanliness, space optimization, and record management within everyday governance structures. “We should integrate technology, community engagement, and private sector collaboration to ensure that the campaign sustains itself throughout the year,” he highlighted, underlining the importance of collaborative action in achieving cleanliness goals.
The Minister proposed to leverage corporate partnerships and collaborations with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through NASSCOM to bring forth innovative waste management solutions. He pointed out that urban clusters, hotels, and government establishments could particularly benefit from this approach. Implementing digital technologies and smart recycling models, such as automated waste segregation and electronic scrap management, could enhance operational efficiency while also creating new livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Singh also stressed the need for sharing best practices across various ministries. He suggested documenting effective cleanliness models from public spaces to educational campuses and disseminating them nationally through a central repository for wider adoption. Innovating in areas such as electronic file disposal, smart waste reuse, and repurposing cleared government land could help set new benchmarks in governance.
Moreover, the Minister recognized that involving youth and women could energize the cleanliness movement. He stated, “When young people and women join the movement, it becomes more vibrant and impactful,” urging that Swachhata messages be promoted actively through schools, colleges, and My Bharat volunteers to instill a culture of collective responsibility among citizens.
In light of the campaign’s previous successes, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted its progression from a short-term cleanliness drive to a transformative governance model that promotes efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric administration. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to sustaining this momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, announcing that innovative best practices arising from the campaign would be shared with States, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and autonomous bodies.
Echoing Dr. Singh’s sentiments, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, highlighted the critical role of behavioral change and youth participation in achieving the vision of Swachh Bharat. He suggested appointing student and youth ambassadors from colleges and universities to spread awareness and motivate local communities to uphold cleanliness and hygiene standards.
The meeting also saw the participation of several senior officials, including V. Srinivas, Secretary, DARPG, and Sarita Chuhan, Joint Secretary, DARPG, representing the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and various allied departments.
