Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma has said that Central Government is committed to ‘Vanchiton Ko Variyata’ - giving priority to the deprived - by ensuring that people who have historically remained underserved or overlooked receive the assistance and support to which they are entitled.

Addressing the gathering in connection with the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, with the objective of promoting the message, ‘Honour for Safai Mitras, Resolve for Swachh Bharat’, the Minister highlighted the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, which seeks to ensure the dignity and safety of sanitation workers and empower them socially and economically.

Shri Verma said that such initiatives focussing on those at the margins, reflects the Government's broader vision of Viksit Bharat, in which every citizen has an opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India's development journey.

The Minister symbolically presented PPE kits to 40 sewer and septic tank workers and 30 waste pickers. In addition, Ayushman cards were also distributed among 31 Safai Mitras, while keys of auto-rickshaws were handed over to six Safai Mitras.

The Minister informed that 90,157 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled under the Scheme including 87,078 receiving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits with 76,920 covered under health insurance.

The Minister further stated that over 5 Lakh (5,00,013) waste pickers have been profiled, of whom 3,15,593 have been validated. He said a total of 1,79,269 waste pickers have been provided PPE kits. In Budaun, 146 sewer and septic tank workers and 339 waste pickers have been validated through the profiling process, he added.

Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) also spoke on the occasion.

Among those present were Shri Rajeev Singh, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Dataganj; Shri Harish Chandra, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Bilsi; Shri Vagish Pathak, Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and Smt. Varsha Yadav, Chairperson, Zila Panchayat, Budaun.

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