**Policy Summary: NAMASTE Scheme for Waste Pickers**
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, a central sector scheme aimed at the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers. As of July 29, 2025, 37,980 waste pickers have been validated across various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India. The scheme does not have specific state or district-wise enumeration targets.
The United National Development Programme (UNDP) provides financial support through a Letter of Agreement with the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) to establish State Project Management Units (PMUs) for the implementation of the waste picker component of NAMASTE.
A total of Rs. 2,24,40,000 has been allocated for the establishment of 34 PMUs until March 31, 2026. The state-wise allocation includes one PMU each for Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Two PMUs each have been allocated for Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme: A Central Sector Scheme for the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers.
Waste Pickers: Beneficiaries of the NAMASTE scheme; 37,980 have been validated across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the country.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Various ULBs across the country where waste pickers have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme.
United National Development Programme (UNDP): Provides financial support to the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for State Project Management Units (PMUs) under the NAMASTE scheme.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): Receives financial support from UNDP for State Project Management Units (PMUs) implementing the Waste Pickers component under the NAMASTE scheme.
State Project Management Units (PMUs): Entities established for the implementation of the NAMASTE scheme, with financial support from UNDP. 34 PMUs have been allocated funds.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, who provided information regarding the NAMASTE scheme in Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where information about the NAMASTE scheme was provided.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
WASTE PICKERS UNDER NAMASTE SCHEME
Posted On: 29 JUL 2025 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for
the welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and Waste Pickers.
37,980 waste pickers have been validated in various Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country till
date. There is no target for enumeration of waste pickers State and district-wise for the ongoing work of
enumeration of waste pickers.
Letter of Agreement between United National Development Programme (UNDP) and National Safai
Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) provides financial support by UNDP for
State Project Management Units (PMUs) for implementation of Waste Pickers component under the
NAMASTE scheme.
Rs. 2,24,40,000/- have been allocated for establishment of 34 PMUs for implementation of NAMASTE
scheme for a period up to 31.03.2026.
State-wise allocation is as given below:
S. No. STATES/UTs No. of State PMUs allocated
1 Andhra Pradesh 1
2 Arunachal Pradesh 1
3 Assam 1
4 Bihar 1
5 Chhattisgarh 1
6 Goa 1
7 Gujarat 1
8 Haryana 1
9 Himachal Pradesh 1
10 Jammu and Kashmir 1
11 Jharkhand 1
12 Karnataka 1
13 Kerala 1
14 Ladakh 1
15 Madhya Pradesh 2
16 Maharashtra 2
17 Manipur 1
18 Mizoram 119 Meghalaya 1
20 Nagaland 1
21 Odisha 1
22 Puducherry 1
23 Punjab 1
24 Rajasthan 1
25 Sikkim 1
26 Tamil Nadu 1
27 Telangana 1
28 Tripura 1
29 Uttar Pradesh 2
30 Uttarakhand 1
31 West Bengal 1
Total 34
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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VM
(Lok Sabha US Q1395)
(Release ID: 2149716)