The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provided an update on the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, aimed at eliminating hazardous sanitation practices and ensuring dignity, safety, and welfare of sanitation workers. The scheme promotes complete mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning while enhancing occupational safety, social security, and livelihood support for sanitation workers.
Under the NAMASTE Scheme launched in 2023, 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated across States and Union Territories, with 87,037 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits distributed to enhance workplace safety. The scheme has established Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) equipped with 753 safety device sets including Safety Helmets with Torch, Safety Tripods, Axial Fan Blowers, Anti-Static Conduits, Full Body Wader Suits, and Multi Gas Detectors.
Regarding financial allocations, NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme with no state-wise fund allocation. Since its launch in 2023, ₹30.06 crore was released during 2023-24, ₹47.625 crore during 2024-25, ₹97.6791 crore during 2025-26, and ₹28.30 crore has been released during 2026-27 (till date). Corresponding expenditures stand at ₹30.06 crore, ₹35.64 crore, ₹97.6791 crore (approximately), and ₹12.45 crore (approximately), respectively, totaling ₹203.66 crore released and ₹175.83 crore expended.
The Minister also provided historical context on manual scavenger identification, noting that surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018 identified 44,217 manual scavengers across fourteen States during the 2018 survey. A subsequent fresh nationwide survey conducted under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 found no manual scavengers, reflecting the government's sustained efforts toward eliminating this practice.