Patna: The long-pending issue of accumulated junk in the engineering and polytechnic colleges across the state is finally set to be resolved. The Department of Science and Technology has initiated preparations to clear this junk, which has been stored in these institutions for years. This move comes after the department decided to collaborate with the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, to remove the accumulated materials.
Long-standing Problem of Accumulated Junk
For years, various engineering and polytechnic colleges in the state have been storing scrap and unused materials, which have cluttered their premises. However, no significant efforts had been made at the institutional level to clear this junk. Recognizing the need for action, the Department of Science and Technology has taken the matter seriously and has started the process of clearing the clutter in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel.
Collaboration with Ministry of Steel
The Department of Science and Technology has already begun groundwork for the partnership with the Ministry of Steel. Once the necessary approvals are obtained from the state government, the clearance operation will commence. The department is expected to begin selling off the accumulated junk in the colleges, just as the central government did with its own offices.
Government’s Swachhata Campaign and Its Success
The Swachhata (Cleanliness) Campaign, launched by the central government, has proven to be highly successful. Under this initiative, the Ministry of Steel had auctioned off scrap and unused items from various departments and ministries, generating approximately ₹800 crore in revenue. Additionally, over 232 million square feet of office space was freed up. The campaign, which ran from 2nd to 31st October, also saw the removal of around 29 million physical files from government offices.
In a similar vein, the state government is now preparing to implement the same strategy to clear the junk in engineering and polytechnic colleges across Bihar. The sale of scrap materials will not only help clean up the campuses but also potentially generate revenue for the institutions.
Success of the National Cleanliness Drive
The Swachhata Campaign was first launched in 2021 with the goal of removing obsolete assets and scrap from government offices. Since then, the initiative has raised approximately ₹4,100 crore through the sale of unused items. The program covered nearly 1.16 million office sites and has been coordinated by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
This nationwide effort has been widely praised for its transparency, efficiency, and for freeing up valuable office space that can now be used for other purposes. Following its success, the state government of Bihar has decided to replicate the model and remove the junk from its educational institutions as part of the broader cleanliness campaign.
Future Plans and Expected Outcomes
According to government officials, the initiative to clear junk from the colleges will not only clean up the campuses but will also create a more conducive learning environment for students and faculty members. The revenue generated from selling the scrap materials will be reinvested into upgrading infrastructure and improving facilities at these institutions.
This initiative is seen as a positive step towards maintaining cleanliness, reducing waste, and ensuring that the educational institutions focus on providing better quality education and resources.
