On October 9, 2025, in Panaji, Goa, the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, distributed safety equipment, PPE kits, and Ayushman cards to sanitation workers under the Namaste Scheme. The event included a fashion show organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, demonstrating how sanitation workers use safety equipment, mechanical tools, and PPE kits. Several dignitaries attended, including Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation; Shri Birjesh Manekar, State Nodal Officer; Shri Mohammad Shabeer IAS, Sub-Divisional Officer; and Shri Daulat Sardesai, Deputy Director of the Social Justice Department. The PIB Mumbai is the source of the information. Release ID: 2176820. Contact @PIBMumbai on X, f/PIBMumbai, ◉/pibmumbai, pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com, ►/PIBMumbai, or /pibmumbai.
Key Entities Referenced
NAMASTE Scheme: A scheme focused on providing social justice to sanitation workers, including sewer and septic tank workers and waste pickers, by providing them with PPE kits and Ayushman cards.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The ministry responsible for organizing the event and the overall welfare of sanitation workers.
Swachh Bharat Mission: A nationwide campaign for cleanliness and sanitation launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mentioned in the context of recognizing sanitation workers.
Goa: The state where the event and distribution of safety equipment and Ayushman cards to sanitation workers took place, highlighting its importance as a tourist destination.
Virendra Kumar: The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment distributing safety equipment and Ayushman cards.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Social Justice Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar
distributes safety equipment and Ayushman cards to
sanitation workers in Goa
Posted On: 09 OCT 2025 4:15PM by PIB Mumbai
Panaji, 9 October
2025
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar distributed
safety equipment, PPE kits, and Ayushman cards to sanitation workers in Goa under
th
the Namaste Scheme at a program held in Panaji today, October 9 .
Addressing the gathering, the minister said that sanitation workers had a great role to
play in Goa as the state, a popular tourist destination, attracts both domestic and
international visitors. Acknowledging the significant contribution of sanitation workers
in maintaining Goa’s cleanliness and beauty, Dr. Virendra Kumar said that it was
because of them that cities are kept clean.
“On October 2, 2014, on the occasion of the Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra
Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission across the country. Following the Prime
Minister’s call, the campaign quickly turned into a people’s movement, with citizens
from all over the country participating in the campaign. This movement has helped in
giving recognition to the work of sanitation workers,” he said.The traditional methods of sanitation work are now being done by modernized and
mechanized methods due to the efforts of the Central government. As part of this,
unskilled sanitation workers are being provided with proper training. The Centre has
also launched various schemes for the benefit of sanitation workers and their
dependent children for education, Dr. Virendra Kumar said and urged the State
governments to take responsibility for ensuring these schemes reach the workers. He
added that the government's aim was to provide social justice to sanitation workers,
an essential part of the society.
During the event, a fashion show was also organized by the Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment, demonstrating how sanitation workers use safety equipment,
mechanical tools, and PPE kits while working.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh,
Managing Director of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development
Corporation; Shri Birjesh Manekar, State Nodal Officer; Shri Mohammad Shabeer IAS,
Sub-Divisional Officer, and Shri Daulat Sardesai, Deputy Director of the Social Justice
Department, along with a large number of sanitation workers from across Goa.PIB Panaji| Ashish Sangle/Riyas Babu/Priti Malandkar
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(Release ID: 2176820)