The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating manual scavenging and ensuring the safety, dignity and welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) through legislative measures and targeted welfare initiatives. The Government informed the Rajya Sabha that a fresh survey conducted across all districts of the country under the provisions of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) found no manual scavengers.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale Shares Details in Written Reply to Shri Derek O' Brien in Rajya Sabha. The House was informed that the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, launched during 2023-24, aims to ensure the safety and dignity of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers through mechanisation and comprehensive welfare measures. Under the scheme, 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers have been validated across the country. State-wise details of the validated workers have been placed on the Table of the House.

The written reply further stated that the Government is implementing several interventions under the NAMASTE Scheme to improve occupational safety and promote mechanised sanitation. These include distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, occupational safety training, provision of safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), upfront capital subsidy for sanitation-related machinery to sanitation workers, their groups and Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs), health insurance coverage, and workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.

The House was also informed that Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, launched on 1 October 2021, includes Used Water Management (UWM) as one of its key components, with the objective of eradicating hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks by promoting mechanised sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.

Replying to the query regarding the continued existence of manual scavenging, the Government reiterated that the MS Act, 2013 prohibits the construction and maintenance of insanitary latrines and bans the employment or engagement of any person for hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. The Government has also requested all States and Union Territories to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Act.

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