Namaste Scheme Launched to Empower Sanitation Workers: Athawale

The 'National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)' scheme was launched to provide dignity to sanitation workers and empower them socially and economically. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The scheme has been launched in 2023-24 for its implementation in all the more than 4800 urban local bodies of the country. The Namaste scheme aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in India, creating an enabling ecosystem for the same, recognizing sanitation workers as one of the major contributors in the operation and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure, thereby providing sustainable livelihoods and enhancing their occupational safety.

Capacity building and better access to safety gear and machines. Providing access to rights and livelihood support to mitigate the vulnerabilities of sanitation workers and enable them to reach self-employment, the Minister said that it also aims to provide capital subsidy for sanitation related projects to make them 'sanitariors' and provide skilled salary employment opportunities after receiving vocational safety training and PPE kits.

Moreover, Namaste will bring about a change in the behaviour of citizens towards sanitation workers. And the increase in demand for safe sanitation services, as all service seekers have to approach SRU for cleaning sewer septic tanks, no informal worker will be allowed to do such work.

Mechanisation of all sewer-related works comes under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The Ministry of Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has from time to time issued comprehensive advisories and guidelines to all states and Union Territories on safety procedures for maintenance of sewers and septic tanks, installation of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSU) and machinery requirements.