NAMASTE Scheme
The NAMASTE Scheme, officially known as the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem, aims to ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers in India by promoting mechanized cleaning, providing occupational safety training, and enhancing their livelihood. Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 2022, the scheme intends to cover all urban local bodies across India with an outlay of Rs. 349.70 crore. It addresses the critical need for safer sanitation practices, reducing direct human contact with faecal matter, and aims to achieve zero fatalities in the sector. By equipping workers with necessary skills, protective gear, and offering health insurance, it seeks to transform the sanitation ecosystem into a safer, more dignified, and economically viable sector for its workforce.
