News: Centre plans to expand the NAMASTE Scheme from urban to rural areas to promote mechanised sanitation and improve the safety and dignity of sanitation workers.

About

• NAMASTE = National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
• Launched in 2023–24 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Aims to eliminate hazardous sewer/septic-tank cleaning and ensure dignity and safety of sanitation workers.
• Initially focused on Sewer & Septic-tank Workers (SSWs); later expanded to waste pickers.

Proposed Expansion

• To cover rural areas.
• Includes drain cleaners, STP workers, faecal sludge treatment plant workers, waste pickers and SSWs.
• Proposed outlay: ₹498.73 crore (2026–27 to 2030–31).

Key Components

• Capital subsidy: Up to 50% of project cost.
• Training & skill development.
• PPE for sanitation workers.
• Emergency Response Sanitation Units.
• Promotes mechanisation and safer sanitation enterprises.

Key Concern

• 498 people died during hazardous sewer/septic-tank cleaning between 2019 and June 2026.
• NCSC flagged high rejection and low disbursement of capital subsidy applications.
• Only 147 of 810 approved SSWs had received funds.

Significance

• NAMASTE aims to shift sanitation work from hazardous manual practices to mechanised, safe and dignified employment, while supporting the livelihoods of sanitation workers.