Government Strengthens Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers Through Mechanisation - 31st July 2026 - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment - Gazette Notification PDF
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 31st July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning and promote mechanization. The initiative focuses on providing occupational safety, health insurance, and socio-economic rehabilitation to sanitation workers and identified manual scavengers. Key milestones include the distribution of over 2.71 lakh PPE kits and the provision of compensation for fatalities recorded between January 2021 and June 2026.
Key Points / Main Content
NAMASTE Scheme Progress
Mechanization: Launched in 2023, the scheme aims to replace hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks with mechanized solutions.
Protective Gear: 2,71,155 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed to sanitation workers and waste pickers.
Social Security: 1,81,062 beneficiaries are now covered under health insurance.
Capacity Building: 20,293 beneficiaries have completed occupational safety and skill development training.
Financial Aid: 1,023 sanitation workers received capital assistance to purchase mechanized cleaning equipment.
Safety and Compensation Statistics
Fatalities: Between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2026, 332 sanitation workers died during hazardous cleaning tasks.
Compensation Status: Full compensation has been paid in 268 cases, while partial compensation was provided in 18 cases.
Injury Reporting: No injuries to sanitation or waste management workers were reported by States or Union Territories during this period.
Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
Identification: Surveys in 2013 and 2018 identified 58,098 manual scavengers across India.
Immediate Support: All identified beneficiaries have received a one-time cash assistance payment.
Livelihood Training: 27,926 beneficiaries have undergone skill development training.
Entrepreneurship: 2,803 beneficiaries received capital subsidies to start self-employment projects for sustainable livelihoods.
Impact Analysis
Sanitation Workers and Waste PickersImpact
Workers gain access to life-saving PPE, specialized safety training, and financial protection through health insurance. Mechanization reduces their exposure to hazardous environments.
Action Required
Workers must utilize distributed PPE kits, participate in safety training programs, and apply for capital assistance if transitioning to mechanized cleaning business models.
Identified Manual ScavengersImpact
Transition from hazardous manual labor to dignified, sustainable livelihoods through financial aid and vocational training.
Action Required
Beneficiaries should utilize the one-time cash assistance and capital subsidies to establish self-employment projects or enroll in provided skill development courses.
State and Union Territory GovernmentsImpact
Responsible for monitoring worker safety and ensuring the distribution of compensation and rehabilitation benefits.
Action Required
Authorities must continue to report occupational incidents accurately and facilitate the implementation of the NAMASTE scheme and rehabilitation measures at the local level.
Key Entities Referenced
NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem): A central government initiative launched in 2023 to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning, promote mechanised sanitation, and provide social security and rehabilitation to sanitation workers.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The primary ministry responsible for implementing the NAMASTE scheme and overseeing the socio-economic rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis: A statutory body that monitors the welfare of sanitation workers and tracks data regarding fatalities and compensation related to hazardous cleaning.
Ramdas Athawale: The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment who presented the official progress report on sanitation worker initiatives.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Government Strengthens Safety and Dignity of
Sanitation Workers Through Mechanisation and
Rehabilitation Initiatives
Over 2.71 Lakh PPE Kits Distributed Under NAMASTE
Scheme; More Than 1.81 Lakh Sanitation Workers Covered
Under Health Insurance
प्रव तथ: 31 JUL 2026 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Central Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety, dignity and socio-
economic rehabilitation of sanitation workers through sustained efforts to eliminate hazardous manual
cleaning practices and promote mechanised sanitation across the country. Through the National Action for
Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme and rehabilitation measures for identified
manual scavengers, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to strengthen occupational
safety, livelihood opportunities and social protection for sanitation workers while advancing the objective
of safe and dignified sanitation services.
This information was given by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment,
Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply to Shri Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Government informed that the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE),
launched in 2023, is focused on replacing hazardous manual cleaning practices with mechanised solutions
while ensuring the safety and well-being of sewer and septic tank workers and waste pickers. Since the
launch of the scheme, 2,71,155 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits have been distributed to
sanitation workers and waste pickers. Simultaneously, 1,023 sanitation workers have received capital
assistance for procuring mechanised cleaning equipment, 20,293 beneficiaries have undergone
occupational safety and skill development training, and 1,81,062 beneficiaries have been covered under
health insurance, significantly strengthening occupational safety and social security for sanitation workers.The Government further informed that, according to the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, 332
sanitation workers lost their lives while undertaking hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning between 1
January 2021 and 30 June 2026. During this period, full compensation has been paid in 268 cases, while
partial compensation has been provided in 18 cases. The Government also stated that no reports of injuries
to sanitation and waste management workers have been received from the States and Union Territories.
The reply also highlighted the Government's continued efforts towards the rehabilitation of identified
manual scavengers. Surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018 identified 58,098 manual scavengers across the
country. Rehabilitation support has been extended through one-time cash assistance, skill development
and financial assistance for self-employment. All identified beneficiaries have received one-time cash
assistance, while 27,926 beneficiaries have undergone skill development training and 2,803 beneficiaries
have received capital subsidy for establishing general self-employment projects, enabling sustainable
livelihood opportunities.
The Central Government reiterated that it remains committed to ensuring that sanitation workers are able
to work in safe, dignified and mechanised environments while receiving comprehensive social protection,
skill development and livelihood support. Through sustained investments under the NAMASTE Scheme
and rehabilitation initiatives, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to work towards
eliminating hazardous manual cleaning practices and improving the quality of life of sanitation workers
and their families across the country.
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PR-045- TAR/KV/GA
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2292648) आगंतुक पटल : 675
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