**Executive Summary**
This report details the rehabilitation status of manual scavengers and measures taken to ensure safety in sanitation work as of March 18, 2026. While a recent national survey identified no new manual scavengers, the government continues to provide financial assistance, skill training, and capital subsidies to the 58,098 individuals identified in previous surveys. Key initiatives like the NAMASTE scheme and Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 focus on eliminating hazardous sewer entry through mechanization and strict safety protocols.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Survey and Financial Assistance**
* **Identification:** A fresh survey across all districts found no manual scavengers; however, 58,098 individuals were identified in 2013 and 2018 surveys.
* **Direct Support:** All identified manual scavengers received a One-time Cash Assistance (OTCA) of Rs. 40,000.
* **Recent Benefits (2020-21 to 2024-25):** 14,692 individuals received OTCA, 9,868 underwent skill development training, and 1,524 received capital subsidies.
**Safety and Mechanization (NAMASTE Scheme)**
* **Purpose:** The National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), launched in 2023-24, aims to ensure the dignity and safety of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs).
* **Safety Measures:** Provisions include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, occupational safety training, and the appointment of a Responsible Sanitation Authority.
* **Equipment:** Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) in large urban bodies are being equipped with safety devices.
* **Financial Incentives:** Upfront capital subsidies are provided for sanitation machinery to workers, groups (up to five persons), and private operators.
**Urban Mission Objectives (SBM-U 2.0)**
* **Eradication of Hazardous Entry:** The Used Water Management (UWM) component of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 focuses on sustaining the elimination of manual cleaning.
* **Mechanization:** The mission promotes the use of machinery for sewer and septic tank cleaning to prevent worker fatalities caused by non-observance of safety precautions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Manual Scavengers (MS)**
**Impact:** Individuals identified in previous surveys receive financial transitions and opportunities for new livelihoods through training and subsidies.
**Action Required:** Identified individuals should utilize available skill development programs and capital subsidies to transition into mechanized sanitation or other professions.
**Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs)**
**Impact:** Workers benefit from enhanced safety through PPE, mandatory safety workshops, and training on mechanized operations to prevent hazardous exposure.
**Action Required:** Workers must observe prescribed safety precautions, utilize provided PPE, and participate in occupational safety training.
**Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Emergency Response Units**
**Impact:** Larger ULBs are required to establish Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) and appoint dedicated sanitation authorities.
**Action Required:** Local authorities must implement mechanization, provide safety devices to ERSUs, and organize workshops on the prevention of hazardous cleaning.
**Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs)**
**Impact:** Operators are eligible for upfront capital subsidies to acquire sanitation-related machinery.
**Action Required:** PSSOs must invest in mechanized cleaning equipment and ensure their staff follows the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Ministry.
Key Entities Referenced
Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: The primary legislation governing the identification of manual scavengers and providing the legal framework for their rehabilitation and the prohibition of hazardous cleaning.
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE): A central scheme launched to ensure the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers through mechanization, safety training, and capital subsidies.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The nodal ministry responsible for implementing rehabilitation programs, conducting surveys, and providing financial assistance to manual scavengers.
Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0: A national mission that incorporates 'Used Water Management' to eradicate hazardous manual entry into sewers and promote mechanized cleaning.
One-time Cash Assistance (OTCA): A specific financial rehabilitation initiative providing Rs. 40,000 to each identified manual scavenger to support their transition to alternative livelihoods.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
REHABILITATION OF MANUAL SCAVENGERS
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 5:15PM by PIB Delhi
A fresh survey of manual scavengers, as per the provisions of the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual
Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” has been conducted in all districts of the country under
which no Manual Scavenger (MS) has been found. However, 58,098 Manual Scavengers have been
identified during two surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018. One-time Cash Assistance (OTCA) @ Rs.
40,000 each have been paid to all the identified MS including 131 MS (0.22%) in Bihar.
During 2020-21 to 2024-25, OTCA to 14,692 MS, Skill Development Training to 9,868 MS and Capital
Subsidy to 1,524 MS have been given. These details are at Annexure.
Some deaths have occurred in States/UTs during hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks due to
non-observance of safety precautions as prescribed under the “Prohibition of Employment as Manual
Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013” and “Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers
and their Rehabilitation Rules, 2013” and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs.
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme to ensure safety and dignity
of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) has been launched in 2023-24. Measures taken to enhance
worker safety and to promote mechanization under NAMASTE scheme are as under:-
1. Personal Protective Equipment Kits to SSWs.
2. Occupational safety training to SSWs.
3. Safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) in larger Urban Local Bodies.
4. Upfront Capital Subsidy for sanitation related machinery to sanitation workers, their groups of
maximum five persons and Private Sanitation Service Operators (PSSOs).
5. Workshops on prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.
6. Appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authority.
Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 launched on 1st October, 2021 includes a new component
i.e. Used Water Management (UWM) with one of the objectives as eradication of hazardous entry into
sewers and septic tanks and sustaining elimination of manual cleaning, through mechanization of sewer
and septic tank cleaning operations.
Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of the RajyaSabhaUnstarred Question No. 3021 for answer
on 18.03.2026 regarding Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers.
State-wise details of one time cash assistance, skill training and capital subsidy given to manual
scavengers identified in survey conducted in 2013 and 2018 during last 5 years are as under:-S. Name of No. of MS identified Number of Manual Scavengers provided
No. during 2013 and 2018 benefits during 2020-21 to 2024-25
State / UT
survey
OTCA Skill development Capital
training subsidy
1 Andhra 1793 330 72 0
Pradesh
2 Assam 3921 3051 198 2
3 Bihar 131 0 0 0
4 Chhattisgarh 3 0 0 0
5 Gujarat 105 0 0 0
6 Jharkhand 192 68 0 0
7 Karnataka 2927 1046 326 671
8 Kerala 518 0 12 0
9 Madhya 510 169 145 0
Pradesh
10 Maharashtra 6325 718 459 9
11 Odisha 230 11 0 0
12 Punjab 231 9 0 10
13 Rajasthan 2673 232 1094 14
14 Tamil Nadu 398 14 0 3
15 Uttar Pradesh 32473 6267 6584 348
16 Uttarakhand 4988 2775 962 22
17 West Bengal 680 2 16 445
Total 58098 14692 9868 1524This information is given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment,Shri Ramdas
Athawale, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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