STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: Addressing the National Workshop on “Good Governance,” Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the significant transformation in work culture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Speaking at the inauguration of Good Governance Week, Dr. Singh emphasized the “whole-of-government” approach as a key driver of governance reforms. The event, which runs from December 19 to 25, also marks the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, renowned for his legacy in governance.
Dr. Singh commended the collaborative efforts across government ministries that have resulted in improved administrative efficiency and enhanced social welfare. “The whole-of-government approach harmonizes efforts to implement reforms that are efficient, inclusive, and impactful,” he remarked. A major highlight of his address focused on innovations in waste management, which have become models of economic and environmental sustainability. He specifically praised the Swachhata Campaign, calling it a landmark initiative in reshaping governance.
The campaign has generated over Rs 2,364 crores in just four years through the clearance and monetization of scrap and obsolete materials from government offices. Dr. Singh pointed out that this sum was four times greater than the cost of the Chandrayaan mission, India’s lunar project, which cost Rs 600 crore.
He further noted that over 643 lakh square feet of office space had been cleared, making room for better utilization and repurposing.
The Minister also revisited Prime Minister Modi’s 2014 Independence Day speech, which called for the construction of women’s toilets. This initiative led to the construction of over 4 lakh toilets, addressing a critical societal need.
Dr. Singh highlighted several pioneering waste management projects, including the conversion of household waste into fuel and recycling used cooking oil into biofuel. A pilot project in Dehradun has significantly curbed harmful reuse practices and promoted recycling.
In line with India’s commitment to a circular economy, Dr. Singh discussed innovations such as mobile waste conversion vans, which enable on-site transformation of waste into usable resources, reducing dependency on centralized facilities.
He underscored the potential of waste management as a key driver of India’s economic ambitions, stating, “The next industrial revolution will be driven by recycling.”
Dr. Singh concluded by stressing the importance of extending good governance practices to the grassroots level, engaging districts and local communities. He urged for greater civil society involvement, citing the Swachh Bharat Mission as an example of how public participation can drive change. He also announced plans to integrate public and private sector efforts in future campaigns, ensuring that both sectors benefit from each other’s efficiency.