New Delhi: The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme has validated 90,186 sewer and septic tank workers across all 36 States and Union Territories, while another 2,51,756 waste pickers have been profiled across 34 States and Union Territories, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said on September 22.
The figures were shared by Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry Secretary Sudhansh Pant (IAS: 1991: Rajasthan), who said the scheme is focused on improving occupational safety, health coverage, skills, mechanisation and livelihood support for sanitation workers and waste pickers.
90,186 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers Validated
The sewer and septic tank worker component of NAMASTE now covers all 36 States and Union Territories.
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The validated workforce comprises:
- 86,468 men
- 3,713 women
- 5 transgender persons
The Ministry said 87,008 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and 753 Emergency Response Sanitation Unit safety equipment sets have been distributed.
It has also completed 27,034 health-insurance eKYC registrations, along with 5,449 occupational training sessions and 1,841 workshops for sewer and septic tank workers.
Mechanisation Support Crosses ₹34 Crore
Under the capital-subsidy intervention for mechanisation through the Swachhta Udyami Yojana, 983 beneficiaries have received support amounting to ₹34.16 crore, according to the Ministry.
The government said 87,037 PPE kits have been ordered, of which 87,008 have been delivered.
The mechanisation component is intended to support safer sanitation operations by increasing access to equipment and reducing dependence on manual handling.
Over 2.5 Lakh Waste Pickers Profiled
The waste-picker component of NAMASTE has profiled 2,51,756 waste pickers across 34 States and Union Territories.
The profiled workforce includes:
- 1,35,233 men
- 1,16,498 women
- 25 transgender persons
The Ministry has also completed 7,526 health-insurance eKYC registrations for waste pickers.
Implementation of the component is being supported by 17 training providers and 33 resource organisations, the Ministry said.
Scheme Focuses on Safety, Social Security and Livelihoods
NAMASTE seeks to create an ecosystem supporting the safety and dignity of sanitation workers while recognising their role in operating and maintaining sanitation infrastructure.
According to the Ministry, its interventions combine:
- Worker profiling and validation
- Personal protective equipment
- Health-insurance access
- Occupational training and capacity building
- Mechanisation support
- Livelihood and social-security measures
The initiatives are being implemented through the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), with the scheme aiming to support safer working conditions and sustainable livelihoods for sanitation workers and waste pickers.
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