**Summary:**
This document summarizes the status of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme as of August 21, 2025, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4802. The NAMASTE scheme, launched in July 2023 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers. The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), MoSJE, is implementing the scheme over three fiscal years (2023-24 to 2025-26) with a total budget of ₹349.73 crores.
As of June 2025, ₹105.655 crores has been sanctioned under NAMASTE. To date, ₹4.15 crore has been incurred by the Central Government, and ₹0.25 crores has been disbursed to the State Government of Assam for the procurement of safety devices by Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) to facilitate mechanized sanitation.
The document also highlights the need for regular desludging services. Out of an estimated 42 crore urban population in India, approximately 4.5 crore households rely on septic tanks. In addition, around 35% of the population is connected to sewer networks, which require regular maintenance. Both septic tanks and sewer systems necessitate routine cleaning to ensure efficient wastewater management and prevent blockages.
Key Entities Referenced
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem NAMASTE: A scheme by the Government of India to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for housing and urban development.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for the welfare and empowerment of socially disadvantaged groups.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation NSKFDC: An organization implementing the NAMASTE scheme.
Emergency Response Sanitation Units ERSUs: Units that procure safety devices for mechanised sanitation.
State Government of Assam: The state government of Assam, which received funds under the NAMASTE initiative for procurement of safety devices.
FY 202324 to FY 202526: The financial years for which the NAMASTE scheme is being implemented.
Urban Local Bodies ULBs: Local governing bodies in urban areas responsible for providing basic services, including sanitation.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4802
TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 21, 2025
NAMASTE SCHEME
NO. 4802 SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total funds sanctioned under the National Action for
Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme till June, 2025;
(b) the details of the total funds disbursed to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and
States for mechanized sanitation thereunder since its inception along
with the utilisation rate, State-wise; and
(c) the details of the percentage of urban households who depend on septic
tanks having regular access to desludging services through mechanized
means as per records?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) : The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
(NAMASTE) scheme has been launched in July, 2023 by Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) in convergence with Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
The objective is to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers. The
NAMASTE scheme is being implemented by the National Safai
Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), MoSJE for
a period of three years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26, with a budget
allocation of 349.73 crores. It is a Central Sector Scheme under which
safety devices for mechanised sanitation for Emergency Response
Sanitation Units (ERSUs) are procured. As per information received from
MoSJE, so far ₹105.655 crores has been sanctioned toward NAMASTE.
…2/--2-
(b) : As reported by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE),
under NAMASTE initiative, ₹4.15 crore has been incurred by Central
Government and ₹0.25 crores disbursed to State Government of Assam
towards procurement of safety devices by ERSUs for mechanised
sanitation.
(c) : Out of an estimated 42 crore urban population in India, about 50%
(4.5 crore households) use septic tanks. This indicates a critical need for
regular desludging services to safely remove and dispose of faecal sludge
at designated treatment locations. Around 35% of the population is
connected to sewer networks that require regular maintenance for
efficient wastewater flow to treatment plants. Both sewer systems and
septic tanks need regular cleaning - sewer manholes must be cleared of
blockages, and septic tanks must be desludged regularly.
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