**Summary:**
The Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment held a Special Program centered around 'NAMASTE Yojana' to honor sanitation workers. The event took place on May 5, 2025, in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh and was led by Union Minister Shri B.L. Verma, who also honored the sanitation workers. Named NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem), the program is aimed at socially and economically empowering personnel engaged in sanitation work.
**Program Highlights:**
- PPE kits were distributed to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
- Ayushman cards were provided as part of social security measures.
- A Rangoli competition was hosted for DIET teachers and staff, which included an element paying tribute to the sanitation workers.
- Progress reporting includes:
- Profiling of 73,768 SSWs across India with varying numbers having received PPE kits (45,871), safety equipment (354), and Ayushman cards (27,103).
- Completed profiling of a total of 324 SSWs in Budaun and Shahjahanpur districts; these were provided with PPE kits and Ayushman cards during the program.
- Sewing machines were distributed for self-employment to selected beneficiaries from Shahjahanpur.
The objective of 'NAMASTE Yojana' is to not only support sanitation workers financially and health-wise but also improve their living standards and dignity in society. This initiative involves the active participation of social organizations and citizens in the aim of bringing positive societal change.
**Conclusion:**
This policy analysis demonstrates a proactive approach by the Union Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment in addressing the welfare needs of sewage and septic tank workers, aiming to ensure they have a safe and dignified livelihood through comprehensive support measures. The program's success is illustrated through its scale of implementation and broad participation from government officials, public figures, and community organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: A governmental department responsible for social justice and empowerment initiatives.
Shri B.L. Verma: The Union Minister presiding over the Special Programme focused on 'NAMASTE Yojana'.
'NAMASTE Yojana': A programme aimed at honouring and empowering sanitation workers.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment: The official from the Ministry recognized during the NAMASTE Yojana programme.
Ayushman cards: A card potentially related to healthcare benefits distributed during the programme.
Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs): Employees engaged in sanitation work, part of the targeted group under NAMASTE Yojana.
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.
*****
VM
(Release ID: 2127139)