The identification and profiling of sanitation workers who were engaged in cleaning of sewers and septic tanks has been undertaken under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem  (NAMASTE)  scheme.  89,248 SSWs have been profiled and validated.

 

As reported by the National Commission for SafaiKaramcharis (NCSK), 317 sanitation workers have lost their lives due to hazardous cleaning of Sewer and Septic tanks during the last five years (2021 to 2025).

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme to ensure safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) has been launched in 2023-24. Measures taken to enhance worker safety and promote mechanization under NAMASTE scheme are as under:-

             i.         Personal Protective Equipment Kits to SSWs.

             ii.        Occupational safety training to SSWs.

           iii.         Safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) in larger Urban Local Bodies.

           iv.         Upfront Capital Subsidy for sanitation related machinery to sanitation workers, their groups of maximum five persons and Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs).

             v.        Workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.

                               

PPE Kit comprising the following items is provided to SSWs identified under the scheme:-

 

●    Safety Helmet with Ratchet

●    Safety Eye Wear

●    N95 Particulate Respiratory Mask

●   Face Mask with Multipurpose Filter Cartridge

●    Nitrile Gloves

●    Safety Shoes

●    Body Suit

In addition, Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 launched on 1st  October, 2021 includes a new component i.e. Used Water Management (UWM) with one of the objectives as eradication of hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks and sustaining elimination of manual cleaning, through mechanization of sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.

SSWs under NAMASTE are facilitated for coverage under the Ayushman Bharat - PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PM-JAY), which provides health insurance benefits. 75,710 SSWs have been covered under Ayushman Bharat-PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY), State Health Schemes and NAMASTE scheme.

This information is given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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SM/HK

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