Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar
Reviews Welfare, Rehabilitation and
Safety Measures for Sanitation Workers
Minister Emphasises Training, Mechanisation, PPE Use and Wider
Awareness of the NAMASTE Scheme
Calls for Strict Implementation of the MS Act, 2013, and Coordinated
Efforts to Protect the Rights and Dignity of Sanitation Workers
Posted On: 22 OCT 2026...
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar Reviews Welfare, Rehabilitation and Safety Measures for Sanitation Workers Minister Emphasises Training, Mechanisation, PPE Use and Wider Awareness of the NAMASTE Scheme Calls for Strict Implementation of the MS Act, 2013, and Coordinated Efforts to Protect the Rights and Dignity of Sanitation Workers
Posted On: 22 OCT 2026 5:03PM by PIB Delhi Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, held a meeting with officials of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) on October 22, 2026, to discuss key issues concerning the welfare, rehabilitation, safety and empowerment of sanitation workers.
The meeting was attended by Shri Bhagwat Prasad Makwana, Chairperson, NCSK; Shri Manoj Kumar Balmiki, Member; Shri Ravi Ramu Kalose, Member; and (Smt.) Dr. Sushma Gaudiyal, Member of the Commission. The concerned Joint Secretaries of the Ministry werealso present.
During the meeting, various measures for the welfare and rehabilitation of sanitation workers were discussed in detail, with particular emphasis on improving working conditions, ensuring occupational safety and promoting their socio-economic empowerment.
Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasised the need to provide appropriate training to sanitation workers to enhance their skills, promote safe working practices and enable them to undertake sanitation-related activities in a dignified and secure manner. He also stressedthe importance of creating widespread awareness about the provisions and benefits of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme of the Ministry, so that more eligible beneficiaries across the country can avail themselves of its benefits.
The Minister underscored the need to provide eligible sanitation workers with suitable mechanised equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to minimise occupational risks and eliminate unsafe sanitation practices. He highlighted that the provision of equipment must be accompanied by its proper and effective use, regular maintenance and periodic monitoring to ensure its continued functionality and effectiveness.
Dr. Kumar also stressed the strict implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013), and the associated MS Rules, 2013.The Minister called upon the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis to continue its efforts to protect the rights and dignity of sanitation workers and to coordinate with the concerned authorities to ensure that welfare measures and government schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries.
The meeting reaffirmed the Government of Indiaโs commitment to the welfare, rehabilitation, safety and socio-economic empowerment of sanitation workers, with a focus on dignified working conditions, mechanisation and effective implementation of relevant welfare measures.
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