A sanitation worker in Pondicherry Municipality gets protective gear and training under the NAMASTE Scheme
10 November 2026
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has described the working of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem, known as the NAMASTE Scheme.
The account is of a sanitation worker from Pondicherry Municipality belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, who had spent over 15 years on sewer and septic tank cleaning.
The change came in 2025 through this scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
He was given a Personal Protective Equipment kit. It held protective overalls and heavy-duty gloves, with gumboots, a face mask and a safety helmet.
Training followed, on safe sanitation practices and on keeping occupational health risks away.
The release records that his monthly income rose from approximately Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 16,000-18,000.
The scheme is presented as a step towards occupational safety, health protection and livelihood security for sanitation workers.
In plain words
NAMASTE National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem — A central scheme for the safety and livelihood of sanitation workers.
PPE Personal Protective Equipment — Gear worn to protect a worker from hazards at work.