Under the directions of the Cabinet Secretary, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) is celebrating Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 from May 16 to 31, 2025. This annual initiative, coordinated under the aegis of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, reflects the Government’s commitment to Gandhian principles of cleanliness and citizen participation in building a cleaner and greener India.

As part of the observance, DARPG has undertaken three key activities:

• A mass Swachhata Pledge administered by Secretary Shri V. Srinivas, along with senior officers, reaffirming the department’s dedication to the cause,
• Shramdaan activities in the nearby locality to promote community engagement, and
• Plantation drives to enhance green cover and environmental sustainability.

These initiatives aim to inspire collective action across Ministries, Departments, and the public, reinforcing Swachhata as a people’s movement.

DARPG’s Role as Nodal Department for Swachhata Initiatives

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) plays a pivotal role as the nodal department for the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM), driving reforms across Ministries and Departments. DARPG continuously monitors key parameters such as scrap disposal, freeing up of office space, weeding out of physical files, eOffice  adoption, analytics for improving efficiency in processes, pendency removal and best practices like “Waste to Wealth” across 84 Ministries/Departments throughSpecial Campaigns and monthly Secretariat Reforms Report.The April-2025 edition of Secretariat Reforms Report highlighted revenue generation of ₹2879.13 through scrap disposal since Special Campaign 1.0 up to April 2025. Also, between January and April 2025, a total of 30 lakh physical files have been weeded out, 30 lakh square feet of office space has been freed, and cleanliness campaigns have been conducted at 29,229 lakh sites.

DARPG also promotes good governance practices during the annual Sushasan Saptah through workshop and exhibition that highlights the achievements of various Ministries and Departments under the Special Campaign. Few of the notable best practices by various Ministries and Departments promoted include:

• Rail Chaupal (Ministry of Railways): Promotes citizen engagement and efficient service delivery
• Cyber Security Workshop (DARPG): Conducted to raise awareness on Cyber Swachhata
• Sushasanaur Abhilekh Exhibition (DARPG & National Archives of India): Showcased significant government records preserved under Special Campaigns
• Swachh ATM (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs): Encourages plastic waste disposal by rewarding citizens

Within its own offices, DARPG demonstrates environmental responsibility by discouraging single-use plastics, promoting waste segregation, and adopting eco-friendly measures such as bamboo dustbins.These efforts reflect DARPG’s commitment to fostering efficiency, transparency, and a cleaner work environment within the Government ecosystem.

Fostering a Culture of Cleanliness and Good Governance

Through such initiatives, DARPG continues to promote the vision of a Swachh Bharat, fostering behavioral change, administrative reform, and public engagement. The Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 reaffirms the Government’s dedication to transforming cleanliness into a Jan Andolan—a true people’s movement—while encouraging Ministries and Departments to proactively contribute to the cause.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2132816)