**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Steel and its associated Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) observed 'Swachhata Pakhwada' from March 16 to March 31, 2026, following the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation’s calendar. The initiative involved nationwide cleanliness drives, awareness programs, and safety drills, concluding with a commitment to sustain these activities throughout the year. Key future actions include the preparation of detailed sustainability plans for the 2026–27 financial year.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Observance and Participation**
* Participating entities included the Ministry of Steel and 10 PSUs/institutions: SAIL, NMDC, RINL, KIOCL, MOIL, MECON, MSTC, NISST, JPC, and BPNSI.
* The program was executed by officers, officials, and employees across various plants and units nationwide.
**Cleanliness and Awareness Activities**
* The event commenced with the 'Swachhata Pledge' and the installation of awareness banners and standees in office premises.
* Internal inspections were conducted in Ministry rooms, libraries, and record cells to monitor cleanliness standards.
* Cleanliness drives were extended beyond offices to townships, factories, nearby villages, slums, and schools.
* Awareness programs were specifically held to discourage the use of single-use plastics.
**Operational Safety and Waste Management**
* PSUs organized 'Steel Safety Day' on March 28, 2026.
* Technical activities included fire safety drills and workshops focused on solid waste management.
**Future Environmental Goals**
* PSUs are currently preparing detailed Swachhata Action Plans for FY 2026–27.
* Future focus areas include reducing and removing slag, minimizing iron ore fines, and recycling gaseous waste for power generation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Steel Officials**
**Impact**
Staff were directly involved in the 'Swachhata Pledge' and internal cleanliness inspections of administrative areas like libraries and record cells.
**Action Required**
Maintain the determination to continue cleaning activities throughout the year beyond the formal Pakhwada period.
**PSUs and Institutions (e.g., SAIL, NMDC, RINL)**
**Impact**
Required to integrate cleanliness and safety into industrial operations, including factory drives and safety drills.
**Action Required**
Develop and finalize detailed Swachhata Action Plans for FY 2026–27 focusing on slag removal and waste recycling.
**Local Communities (Villages, Slums, and Schools)**
**Impact**
Benefited from cleanliness drives and educational programs regarding the discouragement of single-use plastics.
**Action Required**
Engage with the ongoing awareness programs and cleanliness initiatives organized by the nearby PSU units.
Key Entities Referenced
Swachhata Pakhwada: A fortnightly cleanliness initiative observed by the Ministry and its PSUs to promote hygiene, solid waste management, and environmental awareness.
Ministry of Steel: The primary government body responsible for implementing cleanliness drives and sustainability measures across its administrative control, including various PSUs.
Swachhata Action Plan: A strategic planning framework for FY 2026–27 outlining environmental sustainability measures such as recycling gaseous waste and reducing slag.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation: The government department that releases the annual calendar for the Swachhata Pakhwada initiative.
Ministry of Steel
Ministry of Steel and its PSUs Observe
‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ from 16th to 31st March
2026 Across the Country
Posted On: 31 MAR 2026 7:30PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Steel and all PSUs/institutions under its administrative control viz. SAIL, NMDC,
RINL, KIOCL, MOIL, MECON, MSTC, NISST, JPC & BPNSI observed the ‘Swachhata
Pakhwada’ from 16th to 31st March, 2026. This was as per the Calendar of Swachhata
Pakhwada for the year 2026 released by the Department of Drinking water and Sanitation.
Officers/officials of the Ministry and employees in various plants/Units of PSUs spread across
the country participated in various activities organized during the pakhwada.
The Pakhwada commenced by administering of ‘Swachhata Pledge’ in the Ministry of Steel.
Banners and Standees were displayed at prominent places in the office premises of the Ministry
for spreading awareness. Cleaning activities were undertaken in the premises of the Ministry
thoroughly. Cleanliness inspection of rooms/Library/Record Cell of Ministry was also conducted
by a team of officers to observe cleanliness. The PSUs organized the ‘Steel Safety Day’ on 28th
March, 2026. Swachhata Pakhwada concluded in Ministry and all PSUs/institutions under the
Ministry on 31st March, 2026 with determination of continuing the cleaning activities throughout
the year.
During Swachhata Pakhwada, Ministry and its PSUs/institutions undertook a wide range of
cleanliness and awareness activities. These include administering the Swachhata pledge,
conducting fire safety drills, organizing workshops on solid waste management, and carrying out
cleanliness drives in townships, factories, nearby villages, slums, and schools run by them.
Additionally, awareness programs were held to discourage the use of single-use plastics.
Looking ahead, PSUs under the Ministry of Steel are preparing detailed plans for FY 2026–27
under the Swachhata Action Plan. These plans focus on key environmental sustainability
measures such as reducing and removing slag, minimizing iron ore fines, and recycling gaseous
waste for power generation
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AG
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