**Executive Summary**
The NAMASTE Scheme programme, organized by the Government of India under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, was held on 26 February 2026 in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. The programme focused on providing resources and support to sanitation workers and waste pickers. Hon'ble MoS Shri B. L. Verma graced the occasion.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Programme Overview:**
* The programme was organized under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme.
* The objective is to provide dignity, safety, and social security to sanitation workers.
* **Distribution of Resources:**
* Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers.
* Distribution of Ayushman Cards to SSWs and waste pickers for health insurance coverage.
* Distribution of sewing machines to beneficiaries who completed skill development training.
* **National Statistics:**
* 89,248 sewer and septic tank workers have been verified under the NAMASTE Scheme.
* 87,037 workers have been provided with PPE kits.
* 74,647 workers have been covered under the Ayushman health insurance scheme.
* 1,87,120 waste pickers have been profiled across the country.
* **Pilibhit Statistics:**
* 92 SSWs and 452 waste pickers have been profiled in Pilibhit.
* PPE Kits were distributed to 452 beneficiaries in Pilibhit.
* Ayushman Cards were provided to 30 beneficiaries in Pilibhit.
* Sewing machines were distributed to 15 beneficiaries who underwent skill development training.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers**
* **Impact:** Receipt of PPE kits, Ayushman cards, and potential upskilling via sewing machine training. Enhanced dignity, safety, social security, and health insurance coverage.
* **Action Required:** To utilize the resources provided (PPE, Health Insurance) and participate in available skill development programs.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment)**
* **Impact:** The program helps the government achieve its goals under the NAMASTE Scheme and the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by supporting marginalized communities.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementation and expansion of the NAMASTE Scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
NAMASTE Scheme: National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme focused on the dignity, safety, and social security of sanitation workers and waste pickers.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The ministry responsible for implementing the NAMASTE scheme and related initiatives.
Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh): Location where a NAMASTE scheme program was held.
Viksit Bharat 2047: Government of India's vision for inclusive growth and development, reflected in the NAMASTE Scheme.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
NAMASTE Scheme Programme Held in Pilibhit in
the Presence of Hon’ble MoS Shri B. L. Verma
Posted On: 26 FEB 2026 8:42PM by PIB Delhi
Under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme of the
Government of India, a programme was successfully organized on 26 February 2026 at Gandhi
Prekshagrih, Gandhi Stadium, Near Jeevan Rekha, Nakhasa, Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh). The programme was
graced by the esteemed presence of Shri B. L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice &
Empowerment and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
Major Highlights of the Programme were:
Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers
(SSWs) and waste pickers.
Distribution of Ayushman Cards to SSWs and waste pickers for health insurance coverage.
● Distribution of sewing machines to beneficiaries who completed skill development training to
promote sustainable livelihoods.During the programme, the Hon’ble Ministers emphasized the importance of dignity, safety, and social
security of sanitation workers. They shared that under the NAMASTE Scheme, 89,248 sewer and septic
tank workers have been verified so far, 87,037 workers have been provided with PPE kits, 74,647 workers
have been covered under the Ayushman health insurance scheme. Additionally, 1,87,120 waste pickers
have been profiled across the country.
In Pilibhit, a total of 92 SSWs and 452 waste pickers have been profiled. During the event PPE Kits were
distributed to 452 beneficiaries, 30 beneficiaries were provided Ayushman Cards, 15 beneficiaries who
underwent skill development training were distributed sewing machines.The programme reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the principle of “priority to the deprived”,
ensuring that historically marginalized and overlooked communities receive the support they deserve. The
initiative also reflects the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, which envisions inclusive growth where
every citizen has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from India’s development journey.
The programme was also graced by Shri Gulab Singh, Chairperson, District Panchayat; Dr. Aastha
Agrawal, Chairperson, Municipal Council; Shri Swami Prakatanand, Hon’ble MLA; Shri Baburam
Paswan, Hon’ble MLA; Shri Vivek Kumar Verma, Hon’ble MLA; Dr. Sudhir Gupta, MLC; Shri Sanjeev
P. Singh, BJP District President; Smt. Yogita Swaroop, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Social
Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; District Administration officials; and Shri Prabhat Kumar
Singh, Managing Director, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation.
******S.M/D.G
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