Social Justice Ministry reports 88,222 sanitation workers given protective kits under the NAMASTE scheme
27 October 2026
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has reported the nationwide progress of the NAMASTE scheme, which stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem, at an event in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh where Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma distributed Personal Protective Equipment kits and Ayushman Cards to Safai Mitras. Under the scheme, 90,194 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers have been verified, 88,222 have been provided PPE kits and 80,180 have been covered under health insurance through Ayushman Cards, while 3,36,492 waste pickers have been profiled. In Moradabad district, 307 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers have been profiled and given PPE kits and 1,190 waste pickers have been validated. The scheme aims at the dignity, safety, health and social security of sanitation workers.
In plain words
NAMASTE National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem — A central scheme to mechanise sewer and septic tank cleaning and protect sanitation workers.
Safai Mitra Term used for sanitation workers in central schemes — The official term for sewer and septic tank workers and waste pickers covered by the scheme.