The Government of India has generated ₹3,296.71 crore from the disposal of e-waste and scrap and freed up 696.27 lakh sq. ft. of office space for productive use over the past four years, said Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Wednesday.
Speaking on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti at the launch of Special Swachhta Campaign 5.0 in Nehru Park, New Delhi, Singh highlighted the sweeping administrative and environmental impact of the campaign, which has become a flagship initiative of good governance.
According to the Minister, more than 137.86 lakh files have been closed or weeded out, and 12.04 lakh cleanliness sites have been identified and cleaned across the country. “The Special Campaign has emerged as a unique success story of governance in Independent India,” he remarked.
At Nehru Park, Singh personally led Shramdaan activities, a plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, and the weeding out of old files, symbolising the campaign’s focus on both environmental sustainability and administrative efficiency.
“The campaign institutionalises cleanliness drives, streamlines administrative processes, and optimises public services across government offices,” he said, adding that it reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of turning cleanliness into a people’s movement.
Singh credited the Prime Minister’s call from the Red Fort for transforming Swachhata into a mass movement. “What began as a government programme has become a behavioural revolution, deeply ingrained in households, neighbourhoods, and communities,” he observed.
In a special gesture, the Minister honoured Safai Mitras, distributing safety kits and sweets to acknowledge their selfless service. “Our Safai Mitras are at the heart of this campaign. Their dedication is an example of true public service,” he said.
Targets for Special Campaign 5.0
As per data uploaded by Ministries and Departments on the campaign portal (as of October 1, 2025, 10:30 am), the implementation phase will address:
* 6,78,698 cleanliness sites
* 4,223 references from Members of Parliament
* 743 Parliamentary Assurances
* 70 IMC References
* 597 State Government References
* 1,133 PMO References
* 6,92,219 public grievances and appeals
* 26,91,229 physical files due for review
* 5,26,808 e-files for review
Singh said these targets were finalised during the preparatory phase (15–30 September 2025). Record rooms have been inspected, and historical documents identified for preservation.
The National Archives of India will host an exhibition titled “Sushasan aur Abhilekh” from October 10, 2025, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The showcase will feature historically valuable records accessed during Special Campaigns 1.0–4.0.
Singh said the Special Campaign embodies the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of cleanliness and collective responsibility, while also advancing the vision of a New India built on transparency, efficiency, sustainability, and Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation).