UPSC Alert: DAHD’s Success in Special Campaign 5.0 & Special Campaign 6.0 Prep

16 Sep UPSC Alert: DAHD’s Success in Special Campaign 5.0 & Special Campaign 6.0 Prep

✎ Special Campaign 6 is a government-wide initiative by DARPG to institutionalise cleanliness, efficiency, and transparency in public offices through time-bound disposal of pending matters, digitisation of records, and physical…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Governance, Transparency and Accountability  |  GS Paper III — Government Budgeting and Financial Management  |  GS Paper IV — Ethics in Governance
• Prelims: Special Campaign 6, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Department (DARPG), E-governance in public offices, Pending grievances redressal
• Essay: Administrative Reforms and Governance: The Role of Special Campaigns in Public Sector Efficiency, Digital Transformation and Clean Governance: A Paradigm Shift in Public Administration

Quick Revision: Special Campaign 6 is a government-wide initiative by DARPG to institutionalise cleanliness, efficiency, and transparency in public offices through time-bound disposal of pending matters, digitisation of records, and physical cleanliness drives.

Why is this in the news?

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has announced its active participation in Special Campaign 6, a government-wide initiative launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG). This follows the department’s successful implementation of Special Campaign 5.0, which focused on institutionalising cleanliness, expediting pending matters, and enhancing transparency in governance. The campaign aligns with the government’s broader objective of reducing pendency, improving public service delivery, and fostering a culture of accountability in administrative processes.

Background

• Special Campaigns are time-bound, mission-mode initiatives aimed at reducing pendency of public grievances, digitising records, and improving the physical and functional cleanliness of government offices.
• The campaigns are guided by the ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ principle, emphasising efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric administration.
• Special Campaign 5.0 was conducted from 2 October to 31 October 2025, with follow-up actions extending until August 2026.
• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) is a key implementing agency under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, responsible for policy formulation and implementation in livestock and dairy sectors.

What is Special Campaign 6?

• Special Campaign 6 is a government-wide initiative launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) to further institutionalise cleanliness, efficiency, and transparency in public offices.
• The primary objectives of Special Campaign 6 include: reducing pendency of references from constitutional bodies (e.g., PMO, Parliament), expediting disposal of public grievances, digitising records, and improving the physical infrastructure of government offices.
• Special Campaign 6 will focus on measurable outcomes such as the disposal of pending references, grievances, and appeals, digitisation of files, and the removal of redundant physical records to free up office space.
• The campaign is not a standalone event but part of a sustained effort to embed a culture of accountability, efficiency, and citizen-centric governance across all ministries and departments.
• The campaign aligns with the broader Digital India initiative, promoting e-governance and reducing reliance on physical file-based processes.

Key Features

Why it Matters

Administrative Reforms

• Demonstrates the institutionalisation of cleanliness and efficiency in government offices under DARPG’s Special Campaign framework.
• Shows measurable outcomes in file disposal, space utilisation, and revenue generation through systematic review processes.
• Highlights the importance of periodic audits in reducing pendency and improving service delivery in public administration.

Governance & Accountability

• Strengthens transparency by ensuring timely disposal of references from PMO, Parliament, and state governments.
• Enhances citizen trust through structured redressal of public grievances and appeals.
• Promotes a culture of zero pendency and proactive governance in line with the vision of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.

Operational Efficiency

• Reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks by streamlining file management (physical and e-files) and eliminating redundant documentation.
• Optimises office space and resource utilisation, contributing to cost savings and operational efficiency.
• Facilitates faster decision-making by prioritising pending matters and ensuring compliance with timelines.

Challenges

1. Pendency in Government Offices

• Chronic backlog of files and cases due to inefficient record-keeping and lack of periodic reviews.
• Delays in disposal of public grievances and parliamentary assurances erode citizen trust and institutional credibility.
• Physical and digital clutter hampers operational efficiency and increases administrative costs.

UPSC Link: Governance/Public Administration

2. Resource Constraints

• Limited manpower and infrastructure to handle large-scale file reviews and disposal processes.
• Inadequate digital infrastructure in some offices hinders seamless e-file management and tracking.
• Training gaps among officials in adopting new workflows and digital tools effectively.

UPSC Link: Governance/Administrative Reforms

3. Citizen-Centric Governance

• Ensuring timely redressal of public grievances remains a persistent challenge despite structured campaigns.
• Balancing speed with accuracy in disposal to avoid errors or rework in sensitive cases.
• Maintaining transparency in the disposal process to prevent perceptions of bias or favouritism.

UPSC Link: Governance/Right to Service

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Way Forward

• Conduct pre-campaign training for officials on file management, digital tools, and disposal protocols.
• Establish a dedicated task force for real-time monitoring of pending matters and progress tracking.
• Expand digital infrastructure in offices to ensure seamless e-file management and tracking.
• Institute quarterly reviews to sustain momentum and prevent recurrence of pendency.
• Enhance inter-departmental coordination to address cross-referenced cases efficiently.
• Publicise disposal timelines and outcomes to build transparency and citizen trust.
• Integrate AI-driven tools for predictive analytics to identify high-pendency areas proactively.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and its participation in Special Campaign 5.0:
1. DAHD disposed of 214 public grievances during the campaign period.
2. A total of 22,648 physical files were removed after review.
3. The campaign was conducted under the aegis of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
4. DAHD generated revenue of ₹5,86,973 through administrative efficiency measures.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Answer: All four — Statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct as per the PIB release. Statement 3 is incorrect because the campaign was conducted under the guidance of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), which functions under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, but the campaign itself was not conducted by the Ministry of Personnel.

Q2. Assertion (A): The Special Campaign 5.0 aimed to institutionalise cleanliness and dispose of pending cases in government offices.
Reason (R): The campaign was launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) to strengthen governance through digitisation and efficiency.

In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A). The campaign’s objectives included institutionalising cleanliness and disposing of pending cases, and it was indeed launched by DARPG to enhance governance efficiency.

Mains Practice Question

✍ The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has been spearheading Special Campaigns to institutionalise cleanliness and efficiency in governance. In this context, critically examine the objectives, achievements, and limitations of such campaigns, particularly with reference to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). Also, analyse how these campaigns contribute to the broader agenda of e-governance and citizen-centric administration. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Introduction**: Define Special Campaigns and their origin under DARPG, highlighting their alignment with the broader agenda of Good Governance (e.g., Minimum Government, Maximum Governance).

2. **Objectives of Special Campaigns**:
– Institutionalising cleanliness in government offices (Swachhata Abhiyaan).
– Disposal of pending cases (physical and e-files).
– Optimisation of office space and digitisation of records.
– Enhancing transparency and accountability.
– Revenue generation through administrative efficiency.

3. **Achievements of DAHD in Special Campaign 5.0**:
– Disposal of 214 public grievances, 2,404 grievances post-campaign (Nov 2025–Aug 2026).
– Review and disposal of 24,645 physical files (22,648 removed) and 680 e-files (182 closed).
– Disposal of 57 references from MPs, 2 parliamentary assurances, and 4 IMC references.
– Revenue generation of ₹5,86,973 and space optimisation of 5,334 sq. ft.

4. **Contribution to E-Governance and Citizen-Centric Administration**:
– Role of Government e-Office (GeO) platform in digitisation.
– Reduction in pendency and faster grievance redressal.
– Enhanced transparency through digital record-keeping.
– Citizen-centric outcomes: reduced turnaround time for grievances.

5. **Limitations and Challenges**:
– Sustainability of gains post-campaign.
– Challenges in digitisation of legacy records.
– Resistance to change in bureaucratic culture.
– Need for continuous monitoring and institutionalisation of processes.

6. **Broader Governance Implications**:
– Alignment with the Digital India initiative.
– Role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
– Comparison with similar initiatives like Mission Karmayogi or e-office projects.

7. **Conclusion**:
– Summarise the transformative potential of Special Campaigns.
– Emphasise the need for institutionalising these practices beyond ad-hoc campaigns.
– Highlight the role of leadership, technology, and citizen participation in sustaining these gains.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

Generated by AanyaAi for educational purpose.

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