As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 Campaign, themed Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment organized the national level SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir in the National Capital here today.

The theme of the Shivir was Samman Safai Mitron Ka, Sankalp Swachh Bharat Ka. The national-level programme was organised in hybrid mode, in which Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) and line departments participated virtually from across the country.

The programme was attended by Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister, NCT of Delhi; Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri Pravesh Wahi, Mayor, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD); Shri Sanjeev Khirwar, Commissioner, MCD; Dr Sandeep R. Rathod, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) along with senior officers of the Ministry and officials of MCD, among other dignitaries.

The Shivir at Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium, Dr. S.P.M. Civic Centre, was organized to recognize and honour the contribution of SafaiMitras and sanitation workers and facilitate their access to healthcare, safety, welfare and social protection measures. It provided a single-window platform for sanitation workers and their families to obtain information and assistance regarding various Government schemes and services, while reinforcing the importance of their contribution to public health, cleanliness and the well-being of communities.

Addressing the gathering, Smt. Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister, NCT of Delhi, emphasised that sanitation workers are being provided appropriate safety equipment and that their contribution must be recognised with dignity and respect. She highlighted various initiatives of the Delhi Government for different sections of society, including the Pink Card facility providing free bus travel to women, the Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, 450 Arogya Mandirs for multiple health tests and 611 Palna Kendras for the children of working women.

 

 

Smt. Rekha Gupta stressed that maintaining cleanliness is not the sole responsibility of SafaiMitras and sanitation workers but a collective responsibility of every citizen. She called for ensuring that sanitation workers receive their rightful entitlements and emphasised that the safety and dignity of women sanitation workers deserve particular attention. She also highlighted measures to promote mechanisation of sanitation work, including the recent approval of 1,000 litter-picking machines and 100 sweeping machines, aimed at reducing risks associated with manual cleaning activities. She further informed that a top-up health coverage of ₹5 lakh over the existing ₹5 lakh Ayushman Bharat coverage would enhance the total health coverage available to beneficiaries to ₹10 lakh.

Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, highlighted the Government’s efforts under the NAMASTE Scheme to extend support and welfare measures to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and Waste Pickers. He emphasised that ensuring the safety and dignity of sanitation workers remains a key priority and that sustained efforts are required to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of society.

Dr. Virendra Kumar underlined that NAMASTE goes beyond welfare assistance by focusing on the safety, dignity and long-term social and economic inclusion of sanitation workers. He highlighted the extension of benefits to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and Waste Pickers and stressed the importance of ensuring that eligible workers are connected with healthcare, social security and safety-related interventions. He emphasised that sanitation workers should be enabled to lead lives with dignity and become an integral part of the mainstream of society.

Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, highlighted the Government’s sustained focus on sanitation and the welfare of sanitation workers since 2014. He noted that the scope of the NAMASTE Scheme has been extended to workers associated with Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), along with benefits such as Ayushman Cards and PPE kits.

Shri B. L. Verma emphasised that access to welfare benefits must be accompanied by adherence to prescribed safety guidelines and protocols. He also underlined the importance of citizen participation and responsible behaviour towards sanitation workers, reiterating that cleanliness and the dignity of persons engaged in sanitation work are a shared responsibility.

Shri Pravesh Wahi, Mayor, MCD, highlighted the importance of safeguarding the rights and welfare of sanitation workers. He informed that more than 3,000 SafaiMitras had been formalised in the MCD and emphasised the provision of appropriate safety equipment, including PPE kits, to enable sanitation workers to perform their duties safely.

 

Shri Sanjeev Khirwar, Commissioner, MCD, acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and MCD towards strengthening sanitation work and improving support for sanitation workers. He also appreciated the contribution of NSKFDC in facilitating welfare and support measures for sanitation workers.

The Shivir also provided an opportunity for sanitation workers and their dependents to access a range of health, safety and social protection services. Preventive health check-ups and screening services were facilitated for SafaiMitras and their dependents, while PPE kits and other safety equipment were distributed and demonstrated. Eligible sanitation workers and their families were facilitated in accessing Central and State Government welfare and social protection schemes. The programme provided information and facilitation relating to schemes and services such as Ayushman Bharat/PM-JAY, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Swachhata Udyami Yojana and PM Jan Dhan Yojana, subject to eligibility. Assistance was also provided regarding eligibility criteria, application procedures and registration processes for various welfare and social protection schemes.

Parallel programmes were also organised by Urban Local Bodies across the country. These programmes featured live webcasting of the national-level event and included activities aimed at promoting the dignity, safety, health and welfare of sanitation workers. Eligible SafaiMitras, sanitation workers and waste pickers were facilitated in accessing relevant benefits and services, including PPE kits, Ayushman Cards and other welfare and social protection measures.

The gathering also took the Swachhata Pledge, reaffirming a collective commitment towards cleanliness, hygiene and responsible civic participation. The pledge reinforced the spirit of “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag” and encouraged citizens to contribute towards creating a cleaner and healthier India.

Besides, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan pledge was also administered in which the gathering participated reaffirming their commitment to Drug Free Society-Drug Free India.

A film on NAMASTE Scheme was screened on the occasion.

On the occasion, the Ayushman Cards with upto Rs 5 Lakh healthcare coverage, were distributed among the SafaiMitras.

The SafaiMitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to placing the health, safety, dignity and social security of sanitation workers at the centre of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. The programme highlighted the vital contribution of SafaiMitras and sanitation workers to public health, cleanliness and the quality of life of communities across the country.

On this occasion, the experts demonstrated the safety drill while sporting PPE kits and other safety gear.

The nationwide observance provided an opportunity to recognize and appreciate SafaiMitras and sanitation workers for their essential contribution and to strengthen collective efforts towards ensuring their safety, dignity, welfare and social security. It reinforced the message that the vision of a Swachh Bharat and Viksit Bharat can be achieved through the active participation, protection and recognition of every individual contributing to sanitation and cleanliness.

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