The Government of India continues to strengthen efforts towards eliminating hazardous sanitation practices and ensuring the dignity, safety and welfare of sanitation workers through the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme. The initiative promotes complete mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning while enhancing occupational safety, social security and livelihood support for sanitation workers.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply to Shri Appalanaidu Kalisetti and Dr. Byreddy Shabari in the Lok Sabha.

The Minister informed that surveys for identification of manual scavengers were conducted in 2013 and 2018. During the 2018 survey, 44,217 manual scavengers were identified across fourteen States. Subsequently, a fresh nationwide survey was conducted in all districts of the country under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, in which no manual scavenger was found, reflecting the Government's sustained efforts towards eliminating the practice of manual scavenging.

The Minister further informed that the NAMASTE Scheme, launched in 2023, focuses on ensuring safe and dignified sanitation work through mechanisation and improved occupational safety. Under the Scheme, 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated across States and Union Territories, while 87,037 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been provided to sanitation workers to enhance workplace safety.

The reply further stated that Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) established under the NAMASTE Scheme are equipped with essential safety devices, including Safety Helmets with Torch, Safety Tripods, Axial Fan Blowers, Anti-Static Conduits, Full Body Wader Suits and Multi Gas Detectors, enabling sanitation workers to undertake sewer and septic tank operations in a significantly safer manner. Across the country, 753 safety device sets have been provided to ERSUs.

Regarding financial assistance under the Scheme, the Minister informed that NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme and therefore does not provide for State-wise allocation of funds. Since its launch in 2023, ₹30.06 crore was released during 2023-24, ₹47.625 crore during 2024-25, ₹97.6791 crore during 2025-26, and ₹28.30 crore has been released during 2026-27 (till date). Corresponding expenditures stand at ₹30.06 crore, ₹35.64 crore, ₹97.6791 crore (approx.) and ₹12.45 crore (approx.), respectively.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment remains committed to ensuring that sanitation workers perform their duties with dignity, safety and access to modern mechanised equipment. Through the implementation of the NAMASTE Scheme, the Government continues to promote mechanised sanitation, strengthen worker safety, provide protective equipment and modern emergency response infrastructure, and move towards the complete eradication of hazardous manual sanitation practices across the country.

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