**Summary:**
On May 5, 2025, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conducted a special program in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Yojana. The program, presided over by Union Minister of State Shri B.L. Verma, aimed to honor and empower sanitation workers by enabling safe, dignified, and sustainable livelihoods. Key activities included the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs), as well as sewing machines to beneficiaries for self-employment opportunities. Nationally, 73,768 SSWs have been profiled under the NAMASTE Yojana, with 45,871 receiving PPE kits, 354 receiving safety equipment, and 27,103 receiving Ayushman cards. In Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts, 324 SSWs have been profiled and provided with PPE kits and Ayushman cards during the program. The event also recognized the contributions of social organizations and citizens involved in promoting social change.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Union Ministry responsible for the NAMASTE Yojana and the organization of the special programme.
Shri B.L. Verma: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Chief Guest at the event.
NAMASTE Yojana: National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem, a programme focused on empowering sanitation workers.
Budaun, Uttar Pradesh: Location of the special programme honoring sanitation workers.
DIET Auditorium: The venue in Budaun where the special programme was held.
Ayushman cards: Health cards distributed to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) as part of the programme.
Sewer and Septic Tank Workers: The beneficiaries of the NAMASTE Yojana programme, also referred to as SSWs.
Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A district along with Budaun where profiling of SSWs was completed and beneficiaries received PPE kits and Ayushman cards.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister Shri B.L. Verma presides over Special
Programme focused on 'NAMASTE Yojana', to
honour Sanitation Workers, in Budaun today
Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 7:29PM by PIB Delhi
A special programme focused on the ‘National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem
(NAMASTE), through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was organized on
May 5, 2025, at the DIET Auditorium in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister of State for Social
Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and honored
sanitation workers.
The aim of the NAMASTE programme is to socially and economically empower the workers engaged in
sanitation work, enabling them to have safe, dignified, and sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion the Minister said that this is not just a government scheme, but a
resolution to bring real change in the lives of the people in society who work the hardest. He appreciated the
social organizations and citizens for participating in this public-sensitive programme and becoming a part of
this social change.
Key Highlights of the Programme were:
Distribution of PPE kits and Ayushman cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
l
Distribution of Sewing Machines to beneficiaries.
l
Teachers and staff of DIET created attractive Rangoli in honor of the sanitation workers.
lSo far, 73,768 sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) have been profiled across the country. Out of these,
45,871 have been provided with PPE kits, 354 with safety equipment, and 27,103 beneficiaries have received
Ayushman cards. In Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts, the profiling of a total of 324 SSWs has been
completed and provided with PPE kits and Ayushman cards during the program. Sewing machines for self-
employment were also distributed to some beneficiaries from Shahjahanpur.
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VM
(Release ID: 2127139)