Executive Summary:
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1395 addresses the issue of waste pickers under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme. It clarifies the number of waste pickers profiled, enumeration targets, and financial support from the United National Development Programme (UNDP) for State Project Management Units (PMUs). The scheme aims at the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers. Financial support for PMUs is allocated until March 31, 2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
NAMASTE Scheme Overview:
* NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme focused on the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers.
Waste Picker Profiling:
* 37,980 waste pickers have been validated across various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the country.
Enumeration Targets:
* There are no specific state and district-wise targets for enumerating waste pickers.
UNDP Financial Support for PMUs:
* UNDP provides financial support for State Project Management Units (PMUs) to implement the Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme via a Letter of Agreement with the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
* Rs. 2,24,40,000 has been allocated for establishing 34 PMUs.
* The financial support is allocated until March 31, 2026.
PMU Allocation:
* The annexure provides a state-wise breakdown of the number of State PMUs allocated, including allocations for Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (2 PMUs), Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and other states/UTs.
Impact Analysis:
Central Government (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment):
* Impact: Responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of the NAMASTE scheme and allocation of funds.
* Action Required: Ensure effective coordination with UNDP and NSKFDC for the establishment and operationalization of PMUs.
State Governments/Union Territories:
* Impact: Responsible for establishing and managing State Project Management Units (PMUs) for the implementation of the Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
* Action Required: Establish PMUs and ensure they are operational before March 31, 2026, utilizing allocated funds effectively.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC):
* Impact: Partnering with UNDP to receive and disburse financial support for State Project Management Units (PMUs).
* Action Required: Manage the funds received from UNDP and ensure proper allocation and utilization by the PMUs.
United National Development Programme (UNDP):
* Impact: Providing financial support and technical assistance for the implementation of the Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
* Action Required: Monitor the progress of PMUs and ensure effective utilization of funds.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
* Impact: Involved in the validation and identification of waste pickers within their jurisdiction.
* Action Required: Continue to identify and validate waste pickers to ensure they are included in the NAMASTE scheme.
Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers:
* Impact: Beneficiaries of the NAMASTE scheme, receiving welfare benefits and social protection.
* Action Required: Engage with ULBs and PMUs to access the benefits and support provided under the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
NAMASTE Scheme: National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem, a scheme for the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and Waste Pickers.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation: NSKFDC, An organisation providing financial support for State Project Management Units (PMUs) for implementation of Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
United National Development Programme: UNDP, providing financial support for State Project Management Units (PMUs) for implementation of Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
Maharashtra: A state in India, mentioned in the context of statewise allocation of PMUs and enumeration of waste pickers.
Himachal Pradesh: A state in India, mentioned in the context of enumeration of waste pickers.
Karnataka: A state in India, mentioned in the context of enumeration of waste pickers.
Rajasthan: A state in India, mentioned in the context of enumeration of waste pickers.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
.
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.139s
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29,07.2025
WASTE PICKER UNDER NAMASTE SCHEME
1395.SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL:
SMT. APARAJITA SARANGI:
SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:
SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:
SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:
SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:
SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI:
SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:
SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:
SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY:
SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR:
SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:
SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:
SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT:
SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP:
will the Minister of socIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the number of waste pickers profiled under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation
Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme;
(b) the target number of waste pickers proposed to be enumerated nationwide offering them
formal identity and social protection, State and district-wise including Himachal pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Gujarat including tribal areas of Dahod;
(c) whether the Letter of Agreement with United National Development programme (uNDp) for
establishing state Project Management units (PMUs) under NAMASTE scheme provides any
financial support; and
(d) if so' the number of such PMUs to be set up and details of financial support allocated for the
establishment and the timeline prescribed for their operational ization,if not, the reasons therefor,
State-wise including Maharashtra?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)(a): National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NtrAMASTE) scheme is a Central
Sector Scheme for the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers.
37,980 waste pickers have been validated in various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the
country till date.
(b): There is no target for enumeration of waste pickers State and district-wise for the ongoing
work of enumeration of waste pickers.
(c) & (d): Letter of Agreement between United National Development Programme ([JNDP)
and National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) provides
financial support by UNDP for State Project Management Units (PMUs) for implementation of
Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
Rs. 2,24,40,000/- have been allocated for establishment of 34 PMUs for implementation of
NAMASTE scheme for a period upto 31.03.2026.
State-wise allocation including Maharashtra is at Annexure.
-d-Annexure
Annexure referred in reply to parts (c) and (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.
1395 for answer on29.07.2025 regarding Waste Picker under NAMASTE scheme.
S. No. STATES/UTs No. of State PMUs allocated
I Andhra Pradesh I
2 Arunachal Pradesh I
J Assam I
4 Bihar I
5 Chhattisgarh I
6 Goa I
7 Gujarat I
8 Haryana I
9 Himachal Pradesh I
l0 Jammu and Kashmir I
ll
Jharkhand I
I2 Karnataka I
l3 Kerala I
t4 Ladakh I
15 Madhya Pradesh 2
t6 Maharashtra
2
t7 Manipur
I
l8 Mizoram
I
19 Meghalaya I
20 Nagaland
I
2t Odisha
I
22 Puducherry I
23 Punjab I
24 Rajasthan
I
25 Sikkim
I
26 Tamil Nadu I
27 Telangana I
28 Tripura
1
29 Uttar Pradesh
2
30 Uttarakhand I
3l West Bengal I
Total
34
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*)-