Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 22nd August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The National Workshop on “Mission Zero – Ending Fatalities in Sanitation Work,” held on August 22, 2026, in Bhubaneswar, focused on scaling up mechanized sanitation services to eliminate workplace fatalities. The event emphasized a "whole-of-government" approach and highlighted the extension of the NAMASTE scheme until 2031 to ensure safe and dignified service delivery. Key objectives include strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting technological adoption, and achieving full saturation of welfare measures for sanitation workers.
Key Points / Main Content
Strategic National Objectives
Achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work is established as a core national priority under the vision of the Prime Minister.
The "Mission Zero" approach seeks to transform the sector through mechanization, institutional preparedness, and social security.
There is a call for coordinated action among governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and communities to eliminate hazardous manual sanitation practices.
Scheme Extensions and Updates
NAMASTE Scheme: Extended to 2031 to facilitate systematic service delivery through Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs).
GARIMA Scheme: Continues to promote mechanization and provide education, health, and livelihood opportunities for workers and their dependents.
Swachhata Sarthi: A component introduced in 2024 that integrates waste pickers into social and economic empowerment frameworks.
Technological and Operational Focus
Emphasis on promoting appropriate technologies and scaling up mechanized sanitation across all cities.
Creation of a marketplace for safety devices and equipment designed to enhance worker efficiency and safety.
Promotion of "Waste-to-Wealth" Self Help Groups to encourage entrepreneurship and sustainable waste management.
Impact Analysis
Sanitation Workers and Waste PickersImpact:
Workers gain access to enhanced occupational safety, health benefits, and expanded livelihood opportunities. The inclusion of waste pickers in the Swachhata Sarthi component provides them with a framework for social and economic empowerment.
Action Required:
Workers and their families should engage with the welfare measures provided under the NAMASTE and GARIMA schemes and transition toward using mechanized tools and safety equipment.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and State GovernmentsImpact:
These bodies are tasked with the operational preparedness required to eliminate manual cleaning and implement fully mechanized sanitation ecosystems.
Action Required:
ULBs must strengthen institutional mechanisms, establish Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), and coordinate with technology providers to scale up mechanized services.
Technology and Equipment ProvidersImpact:
There is an increased demand for innovations in safety devices and mechanization technologies to support the "Mission Zero" agenda.
Action Required:
Providers must showcase and supply practical, efficient technological solutions that can be adopted by ULBs to enhance the safety of sanitation operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission Zero: A national priority initiative and framework aimed at achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work through mechanisation, institutional preparedness, and worker safety.
NAMASTE: A central scheme extended to 2031 focused on mechanised sanitation ecosystem and providing social security, health, and safety measures for sanitation workers.
GARIMA: A scheme implemented to promote mechanisation and ensure occupational safety, health, education, and livelihood opportunities for sanitation workers and their dependents.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The primary Union Ministry responsible for the oversight, formulation, and implementation of policies related to sanitation worker welfare and safety.
NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation): The nodal agency designated for the implementation of the NAMASTE scheme to ensure systematic sanitation service delivery.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
National Workshop on “Mission Zero – Ending
Fatalities in Sanitation Work”
Achieving Zero Fatalities In Sanitation Work Is A Core
National Priority Under The Vision Of Hon’ble PM Narendra
Modi; Need For A Whole-Of-Government Approach To Ensure
Safe, Systematic And Dignified Sanitation Services: Secretary
Sudhansh Pant
NAMASTE, GARIMA schemes to promote mechanisation and
ensure occupational safety, health, education and livelihood
opportunities for sanitation workers, their dependents
प्रव तथ: 22 AUG 2026 3:51PM by PIB Delhi
As part of strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting appropriate technologies, ensuring
operational preparedness and scaling up mechanised sanitation services across cities in the country, a
National Workshop on “Mission Zero: Ending Fatalities in Sanitation Work” was organised at the
State Convention Centre, Lokseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar in Odisha today.
The workshop was graced by Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. Among
the other dignitaries present were Shri Sudhansh Pant, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment, Government of India; Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha, Smt. Usha
Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha;
Shri V. K. Chaurasia, Advisor, CPHEEO; Shri Debabrata Mohanty, Managing Director, WATCO; Shri
Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NSKFDC, the nodal agency for implementation of
NAMASTE; Ms. Meghna Malhotra and Shri Xerxes Rao, UMC; Shri Chanchal Rana, IAS, Municipal
Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation; and Dr. Vijay Suryavansi, IAS, Municipal
Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.Senior government officials, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), sanitation-sector experts, manufacturers,
technology providers, civil society organisations and sanitation workers to deliberate on building a safe,
dignified and fully mechanised sanitation ecosystem.
The workshop focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting appropriate
technologies, ensuring operational preparedness and scaling up mechanised sanitation services
across cities, with the overarching objective of achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work.Addressing the workshop, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Sudhansh
Pant reiterated that achieving zero fatalities in sanitation work is a core national priority under the vision
of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised the need for a whole-of-government
approach to ensure that sanitation services are delivered safely, systematically and with dignity.
Shri Pant highlighted that NAMASTE and GARIMA schemes are being implemented to promote
mechanisation and ensure occupational safety, health, education and livelihood opportunities for
sanitation workers and their dependents. He said the the Swachhata Sarthi/waste picker component,
introduced in 2024, has further strengthened the framework by bringing waste pickers into the ambit of
social and economic empowerment initiatives.
The Secretary further stated that NAMASTE has been extended up to 2031 with the objective of
ensuring systematic sanitation service delivery through Emergency Response Sanitation Units
(ERSUs), advancing the Mission Zero agenda and achieving saturation of welfare measures for sanitationworkers and their families.
The workshop also provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, showcase innovations and
discuss practical solutions for safe sanitation operations.
The Secretary visited the safety devices and equipment marketplace and interacted with
stakeholders showcasing technologies and equipment designed to enhance the safety and efficiency
of sanitation workers. He also visited stalls set up by Waste-to-Wealth Self Help Groups comprising
waste pickers and sanitation workers, highlighting opportunities for livelihood generation,
entrepreneurship and sustainable waste management.
Pertinently, the event brought together representatives from the Government of India and Government of
Odisha, senior officials of Urban Local Bodies, CPHEEO, sanitation-sector institutions, civil society
organisations, technology and equipment providers, as well as sanitation workers.
The participation of diverse stakeholders underscored the importance of coordinated action among
governments, ULBs, technology providers and communities to eliminate hazardous manual sanitation
practices.
The workshop reaffirmed the collective commitment to building a safe, dignified, technology-driven
and sustainable sanitation ecosystem, where no sanitation worker loses their life while performing
sanitation duties.
The Mission Zero approach seeks to transform sanitation work through mechanisation, institutional
preparedness, worker safety, social security and livelihood support, paving the way towards zero
fatalities in sanitation work across the country.
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PR-84-TAR/KV/GA/RK
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2302324) आगंतुक पटल : 838
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