The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), a wing of the Ministry of Finance, has partnered with MSTC Limited to handle the collection, sorting and disposal of electronic waste from its offices. MSTC is a Miniratna Category-I Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel. The initiative is part of Special Campaign 6, a government-wide cleanliness and efficiency drive running from 2 to 31 October 2026.
Key facts
- Special Campaign 6 runs from 2 to 31 October 2026
- Focus area: effective collection, segregation and disposal of e-waste
- E-waste items to be auctioned include computers, printers, servers and other IT assets
- Framework: E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Implementation agency: MSTC Limited, Ministry of Steel
What is happening
DIPAM has tasked MSTC Limited with managing e-waste that accumulates in its offices. Rather than disposing of this waste through ordinary channels, the partnership uses MSTC’s e-auction platform. This platform allows the government to list obsolete electronic equipment transparently and sell it through a competitive bidding process. The winning bidders must be authorised recyclers, ensuring the waste goes through proper environmental management rather than informal or illegal disposal routes.
How this works
MSTC will first collect all e-waste from DIPAM offices. The company will then segregate the waste by type and condition. Next, items suitable for resale or refurbishment will be listed on MSTC’s e-auction platform. Authorised recyclers and responsible vendors can bid for these items. Revenue generated from the auction goes to the Government. All e-waste that cannot be auctioned will be sent to authorised recyclers licensed under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.
Why this matters
Electronic waste poses serious environmental hazards if not disposed of correctly. Old computers, servers and other IT equipment contain toxic materials like lead, mercury and cadmium. Unregulated disposal contaminates soil and groundwater. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 require all producers and users of electronic goods, including government departments, to manage e-waste responsibly. This partnership ensures DIPAM complies with these rules.
The initiative also serves practical office management goals. Accumulating electronic equipment takes up valuable space in government buildings. By auctioning usable items and recycling the rest, DIPAM frees up office space. The government also earns revenue from the auction instead of paying disposal fees. This approach converts waste into a resource.
Connection to Special Campaign 6
Special Campaign 6 is a broader government initiative focused on three main goals: reducing pending work in government offices, improving cleanliness and hygiene in government buildings, and promoting sustainable practices. The e-waste management component addresses the sustainability pillar. By auctioning and recycling e-waste responsibly, government departments contribute to the campaign’s environmental objectives while also freeing up office space, which supports the cleanliness goal.
What this means for you
Citizens may not directly interact with this initiative, but it demonstrates how government departments are adopting environmentally responsible practices. Proper e-waste management reduces environmental pollution that affects public health. For government employees, the initiative means their workplaces will have more usable space and a cleaner office environment. For those interested in sustainable government practices, this shows that public sector enterprises are being used to implement environmental rules consistently across departments.
Legal framework
E-waste management in India is governed by the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. These rules apply to all entities that manufacture, import, refurbish or use electronic equipment. Government departments must comply by ensuring e-waste is collected, segregated and sent to authorised recyclers. MSTC’s involvement ensures DIPAM’s compliance with these mandatory rules.