**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will commemorate the 3rd NAMASTE Day on July 14, marking three years since the launch of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme. The event features a primary celebration in Kolkata alongside the DIVYA KALA MELA, with parallel activities across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) nationwide focused on the welfare and recognition of sanitation workers. Key objectives include promoting mechanized sanitation to ensure worker safety, dignity, and the elimination of hazardous manual practices.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Details and Observance**
* The main event is scheduled for July 14 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata, West Bengal.
* Parallel programs will be held nationwide across various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to honor sewer and septic tank workers, waste pickers, and former manual scavengers.
* High-level dignitaries, including the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and the West Bengal Chief Minister, are expected to attend.
* **NAMASTE Scheme Objectives**
* Achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work and eliminate direct contact with human faecal matter.
* Ensure all cleaning operations are conducted via safety devices and performed by skilled workers.
* Strengthen and capacitate Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) for safe mechanized service delivery.
* Empower workers through the formation of Self-Help Groups and entrepreneurship opportunities.
* **Worker Welfare Activities**
* Organization of occupational safety training and health check-up camps.
* Facilitation of government entitlements and recognition of workers' contributions to public health.
* Demonstration of mechanized sanitation equipment and protective safety gear.
* Provision of access to skill development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Sanitation Workers (including sewer/septic tank workers and waste pickers)**
**Impact**
Workers benefit from increased safety, dignity, and social security through the elimination of hazardous practices and the provision of protective equipment and training.
**Action Required**
Participate in scheduled occupational safety training, health check-up camps, and utilize mechanized equipment and safety gear provided.
**Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)**
**Impact**
ULBs are tasked with transitioning to a mechanized sanitation ecosystem and overseeing the welfare and recognition of the local sanitation workforce.
**Action Required**
Organize nationwide parallel programs, facilitate worker entitlements, and conduct demonstrations of mechanized sanitation equipment.
**Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs)**
**Impact**
These units are identified as critical components for strengthening the delivery of safe, mechanized sanitation services.
**Action Required**
Undergo strengthening and capacitation to ensure the effective and safe delivery of mechanized sanitation services.
Key Entities Referenced
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme: A central scheme aimed at ensuring the safety, dignity, and social security of sanitation workers by promoting mechanized cleaning and eliminating hazardous manual practices.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The primary Union Ministry responsible for the implementation of the NAMASTE scheme and the welfare of marginalized sanitation workers.
NAMASTE Day: A dedicated day observed to honor sanitation workers, raise public awareness about their rights, and reinforce the government's commitment to a safe sanitation ecosystem.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC): A key government corporation involved in the socio-economic upliftment and financing of welfare activities for sanitation workers.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): The primary administrative units nationwide responsible for organizing mechanized sanitation activities and safety training for workers.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
3rd NAMASTE Day Tomorrow July 14 in Kolkata
West Bengal, Parallel Programmes to Take Place
Across Urban Local Bodies Nationwide
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Also To Organize
DIVYA KALA MELA
Nationwide Events To Honour Sanitation Workers On
NAMASTE Day
Union Minister For Social Justice & Empowerment Dr.
Virendra Kumar, Minister Of State For Ministry Of Social
Justice & Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale Expected To
Grace The Occasion
Posted On: 13 JUL 2026 1:09PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will commemorate the 3rd NAMASTE Day
tomorrow July 14, marking three years since the launch of the National Action for Mechanized
Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme in 2023.
The main event, along with the DIVYA KALA MELA, will be held at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata in
West Bengal while parallel programmes will take place across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) nationwide.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar and Minister of State for
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale are expected to attend the event.
West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendhu Adhikari, Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs,
senior officials from the Centre and the State, district administration representatives, the National Safai
Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and other dignitaries are also expected to
participate.
On NAMASTE Day, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are scheduled to organize activities focused on the
welfare of sanitation workers, including occupational safety training, health check-up camps, facilitation
of government entitlements, demonstration of mechanized sanitation equipment and safety gear, and
recognition of sanitation workers for their contribution.
NAMASTE Day is dedicated to honouring sanitation workers—including sewer and septic tank
workers, waste pickers and former manual scavengers—for their vital role in safeguarding public
health and environmental sanitation. The observance reinforces the government's commitment toimproving their safety and dignity through mechanized sanitation, eliminating hazardous cleaning
practices, providing access to protective equipment, skill development and sustainable livelihood
opportunities.
The ministry said the observance reflects the government's commitment to prioritizing the welfare
of historically marginalized communities while promoting a safe, inclusive and dignified sanitation
ecosystem across the country.
NAMASTE Day also serves as an occasion to raise public awareness about the rights and welfare of
sanitation workers, foster respect for their contribution, and reaffirm the nation's resolve to create a safe,
inclusive and dignified sanitation ecosystem for all.
Pertinently, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment launched National Action for
Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme in 2023-24 with an aim to ensure dignity,
safety and social security of sanitation workers while strengthening them socially and economically.
The intended outcome of NAMASTE scheme is to achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work;
elimination of direct contact of sanitation workers with human faecal matter; all cleaning
operations to be done through safety devices; all sanitation work to be performed by skilled workers;
strengthening and capacitating of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) to ensure safe delivery
of mechanized sanitation services and empowerment of sanitation workers through formation of Self-Help
Groups and entrepreneurship etc.
***
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