NAMASTE Scheme

The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment highlights the measurable impact of the NAMASTE Scheme in eliminating hazardous manual cleaning practices. The scheme is currently relevant for improving safety and dignity of sanitation workers. 

NAMASTE Scheme:

Dimension	Key Details
Full Form	NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
Nature	The scheme provides for mechanised sanitation and addresses challenges faced by sewer and septic tank sanitation workers.
Ministries Involved	The scheme is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Implementing Agency	The National Safai Karmacharis Finance Development Corporation implements the scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Duration	The scheme is implemented for three years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26.
Objectives	The scheme provides for zero fatalities in sanitation work, elimination of direct contact with human faecal matter, mechanised cleaning with safety devices, strengthening of emergency response sanitation units, and worker empowerment through self-help groups and entrepreneurship.