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Volunteers Tackle River Plastic Pollution in Key Cleanup

Development of 3 Lakh Ton Annual Recycling Capacity Projected under ₹1,500 Crore Incentive Scheme

A group of volunteers wearing green t-shirts, gray pants, and green gloves bend down to pick up plastic waste from a sandy riverbank littered with trash, filling large white trash bags labeled 'PLASTIC' as part of a community cleanup initiative.
Volunteers in protective gear collect scattered plastic debris and other waste from a polluted riverbank, stuffing it into collection bags during a local environmental cleanup effort.

Implementation Review Highlights Substantial Beneficiary Registration

The progress of the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral Recycling was reviewed today by Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines. The meeting included officials from the Ministry as well as representatives from the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research, Development & Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Mines, designated as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for the Scheme. Secretary (Mines) examined various aspects of the application process. JNARDDC reported that a significant number of entities have registered on the portal for receiving applications.

The Incentive Scheme forms a key part of the National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at developing domestic recycling capacity for the extraction of critical minerals from secondary sources, including E-waste, spent Lithium-ion Batteries (LiBs), and other scrap. The Union Cabinet approved the Scheme on 03.09.2025, and it was launched with detailed guidelines on 02.10.2025. Applications are being accepted over a six-month period from 02.10.2025 to 01.04.2026.

In its role as PMA, JNARDDC organized a Workshop and Interactive Stakeholder Consultation on 21.11.2025, attended by approximately 30 prospective beneficiaries. Fifteen participants were present physically at JNARDDC, Nagpur, while the remaining 15 joined online. The attendees included start-ups, established recyclers, technology providers, and industrial stakeholders interested in strengthening India’s critical mineral recycling ecosystem. During the session, participants were briefed on portal registration, application filing, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and the incentive disbursement process. Procedural and operational queries were addressed, and the PMA provided hands-on guidance to facilitate accurate and timely submission of applications, including a demonstration of the complete online workflow.

During the review, Secretary (Mines) requested JNARDDC to conduct similar consultations and engagement sessions throughout the implementation phase to support stakeholders and ensure the effective execution of the Scheme. JNARDDC reaffirmed its commitment to provide continuous assistance through helpdesk support and clarifications as needed.

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