NAMASTE Scheme

• 21 Jul 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

On the occasion of NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) Day (16th July), the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the helpline number (14473) for waste pickers and distributed PPE kits and Ayushman cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers. 

What is the NAMASTE Scheme? 

• About : NAMASTE is a human-centric, rights-based initiative aimed at eliminating hazardous manual scavenging of sewers and septic tanks, launched in 2023 as a Central Sector Scheme for a period of 3 years (2023–24 to 2025–26).  
  • It replaces the earlier Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), and covers 4800+ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across India. 
  • The scheme aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent Work), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality). 
• Implementation: Jointly launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and being implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC). 
• Objectives: Formalizing, rehabilitating, and empowering Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers, ensuring their safety, dignity, and inclusion through mechanized sanitation (no direct contact with human waste or sanitation workers.) and health protection. 
  • Achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work by promoting trained, certified personnel, strengthening Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), and encouraging Sanipreneurship (entrepreneurship in sanitation) and SHG formation among sanitation workers. 
• Key Components: 
  • For Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs):  Provision of digital profiling of SSWs employed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through a mobile app, provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and safety tools, occupational safety training and skill upgradation. 
    • It also includes health insurance under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, access to subsidized sanitation vehicles/equipment, and promotion of “Sani-preneurship” through upfront capital subsidy and capacity building initiatives. 
  • For Waste Pickers (added in 2024): Focuses on enumeration and profiling, supply of seasonal/need-based PPE kits, training in occupational safety and skill development, Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY coverage, and capital subsidy for waste collection vehicles and sustainable livelihood projects. 
  • Institutional Support Mechanisms: Includes strengthening of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) for hazardous sanitation operations and conducting Information, Education & Communication (IEC) campaigns to promote awareness, safety, and dignity of sanitation workers. 

What is Manual Scavenging? 

• About:  Manual scavenging refers to the removal of human excreta from dry latrines, public streets, septic tanks, sewers, and gutters, often carried out under unsafe and inhumane conditions. 
• Legal Prohibition: It is banned under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (PEMSR) Act, 2013, which recognizes it as a dehumanizing practice. 

Schemes Related to Manual Scavenging  

• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)  
• Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan 
• Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 
• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) 
• Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge   
• Swachhta Abhiyan App   
• National Commission for Safai Karamchari   
• Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY)

How does Caste-Based Occupation Perpetuate Manual Scavenging in India?  

Click to Read More: Caste-Based Occupation Perpetuate Manual Scavenging 

What are the Challenges of Abolition and Rehabilitation of Manual Scavenging in India?  

Click to Read More: Challenges of Abolition and Rehabilitation of Manual Scavenging in India 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims 

Q. ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to (2016)

(a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood 
(b) release the sex workers from their practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood 
(c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers 
(d) release the bonded labourers from their bondage and rehabilitate them 

Ans: (c)