Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Welfare Distribution in Budaun
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri B. L. Verma announced the central government's commitment to 'Vanchiton Ko Variyata' (giving priority to the deprived) during the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. The event focused on promoting 'Honour for Safai Mitras, Resolve for Swachh Bharat' and highlighted the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, which aims to ensure dignity, safety, and socio-economic empowerment of sanitation workers.
During the event, the minister symbolically distributed PPE kits to 40 sewer and septic tank workers and 30 waste pickers. Additionally, 31 Safai Mitras received Ayushman cards, while six Safai Mitras were provided with keys to auto-rickshaws. The minister disclosed that under the NAMASTE Scheme, 90,157 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled nationwide, with 87,078 receiving Personal Protective Equipment kits and 76,920 covered under health insurance.
For waste pickers, over 5 lakh (500,013) have been profiled, with 315,593 validated and 179,269 provided with PPE kits. Specifically in Budaun district, 146 sewer and septic tank workers and 339 waste pickers have been validated through the profiling process. The initiative reflects the government's broader vision of Viksit Bharat, ensuring every citizen can contribute to and benefit from India's development journey.
Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director of National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), also addressed the gathering. The event was attended by several local officials including Shri Rajeev Singh (MLA Dataganj), Shri Harish Chandra (MLA Bilsi), Shri Vagish Pathak (UP Legislative Council member), and Smt. Varsha Yadav (Chairperson, Zila Panchayat, Budaun).