NATIONAL ACTION FOR MECHANISED SANITATION

NATIONAL ACTION FOR MECHANISED SANITATION

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs). NAMASTE scheme has been launched in July, 2023. Waste Pickers have been added as a target group under the scheme in June, 2024.

Progress made under NAMASTE scheme are as under:

(i) 84,902 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated.

(ii) 45,871 PPE kits for SSWs & 354 Safety Devices Kit for Emergency Response Sanitation Units have been issued to States/UTs.

(iii) 54,140 beneficiaries have been covered under Ayushman Bharat –PMJAY and State health scheme.

(iv) Capital Subsidy of Rs. 20.36 Crore released to 707 sanitation workers and their dependents for sanitation related projects.

(v) 1089 workshops have been conducted on Prevention of Hazardous Cleaning of Sewer and Septic Tanks.

Further, 37,980 waste pickers have been validated in various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country. 568 Responsible Sanitation Authorities (RSAs) and 642 Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) have been constituted across the country.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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