NAMASTE Scheme

Introduction

The NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It aims to eradicate hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, and promote mechanised sanitation across urban India.

In the backdrop of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and the constitutional commitment to dignity and equality, NAMASTE is a significant step forward in ensuring the safety, skill development, and rehabilitation of sanitation workers.

Key Facts at a Glance

Particulars	Details
Full Form	National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem
Launched by	MoSJE + MoHUA
Year of Launch	2022
Type of Scheme	Central Sector Scheme
Coverage	Initially 500 AMRUT cities
Budget Allocation (FY 2022-26)	₹360 crore
Implementing Agencies	NSKFDC, SBM-U, ULBs
Beneficiaries	Sanitation workers, manual scavengers

Objectives of the NAMASTE Scheme

1. Elimination of Manual Scavenging
   • Transition from manual to mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
2. Rehabilitation of Sanitation Workers
   • Provide livelihood assistance and alternative employment options.
3. Ensuring Safety and Dignity
   • Promote the occupational safety, health, and dignity of sanitation workers.
4. Skilling and Capacity Building
   • Offer training in modern and safe cleaning technologies.
5. Social Inclusion and Welfare
   • Enable sanitation workers and their families to access social security schemes.

Components of the NAMASTE Scheme

The components of the scheme include:

• Profiling of SSWs in ULBs through digital tools (~ 1 lakh SSW to be identified).
• Health Insurance of SSW under PM-JAY.
• Occupational safety training of SSWs and Sanitation Response Units for NAMASTE.
• Capital Subsidy up to Rs. 5.00 lakh for procurement of Sanitation Related Vehicles/ Equipment.
• Distribution of PPE to SSWs.
• Distribution of safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU).
• IEC Campaign for awareness on SSW safety and dignity.

Component	Description
Identification of Sanitation Workers	Survey and database creation through ULBs.
Skilling Programs	Training through Jan Shikshan Sansthans, ITIs, PM-DAKSH.
Livelihood Assistance	Provision of loans and capital subsidies through NSKFDC.
Occupational Safety	PPE kits, health insurance, risk and hazard training.
Convergence with Other Schemes	E.g., PM-SVANidhi, PMAY, Ayushman Bharat for holistic development.

Implementation Strategy

Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Baseline Surveys
   • Identification of sanitation workers using digital platforms and ULB support.
2. Skill Development and Certification
   • Workers trained in modern sewer/septic tank cleaning and safety.
3. Livelihood Linkages
   • Financial support for setting up sanitation enterprises via NSKFDC loans.
4. Monitoring Mechanism
   • Real-time tracking of beneficiaries through MIS (Management Information Systems).
5. IEC and Behavioural Change Communication
   • Promoting dignity of labour and dispelling myths around sanitation work.

Institutional Framework

Body	Role
MoSJE	Policy oversight, financial support
MoHUA	Coordination with ULBs under SBM-U
NSKFDC	Financing and skill training support
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)	Ground-level implementation

Legal and Ethical Context

• Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:
  • Declares manual scavenging illegal and prescribes rehabilitation.
• Supreme Court Judgment (2014):
  • Emphasized compensation and safety norms for sewer workers.
• Article 21 and 23 of Constitution:
  • Right to life with dignity and prohibition of forced labour.

Budget and Financial Support

Year	Fund Allocation (₹ crore)	Focus
2022–2023	100	Initial implementation
2023–2024	90	Expansion and skilling
2024–2025	90	Sustainable livelihood
2025–2026	80	Rehabilitation and exit strategy

Comparative Analysis with SBM-U and Other Initiatives

Feature	Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)	NAMASTE Scheme
Focus Area	Sanitation Infrastructure	Sanitation Worker Safety
Implementation	Infrastructure-centric	Worker-centric
Inclusion of Workers	Limited	Core component
Type	Centrally Sponsored Scheme	Central Sector Scheme

Challenges in Implementation

Challenge	Description
Lack of Awareness	Many workers are unaware of government rehabilitation schemes.
Technological Gaps	Mechanised tools not uniformly available in all ULBs.
Social Discrimination	Deep-rooted caste stigma prevents social reintegration.
Inadequate Training	Limited access to quality vocational skilling.

Ethical and Human Rights Perspective

• Article 21 of the Indian Constitution:
  • Right to life with dignity includes safe work conditions.
• Manual scavenging is caste-linked and affects Dalit communities disproportionately, making NAMASTE a tool of social justice.
• Rehabilitation and reintegration not only improve lives but also challenge entrenched social hierarchies.

“It is not a question of infrastructure, but of human dignity.”

Technological Innovations under NAMASTE

Innovation	Description
Bandicoot Robots	Robotic arms to clean sewers remotely
GIS Mapping of Septic Tanks	Identify high-risk zones for sanitation workers
Real-Time Safety Monitoring	Smart wearables for gas detection and worker tracking
Digital ID Cards	For sanitation workers to access benefits

Future Scope: Integration of AI and IoT to track sewer blockages and pre-empt risks to human cleaners.

Way Forward

1. Pan-India Expansion Beyond AMRUT Cities
   • Cover smaller municipalities and rural towns.
2. Increased Funding and Tech Upgradation
   • Subsidies for mechanised tools and PPE kits.
3. Stronger Convergence Mechanism
   • With PMAY, Ayushman Bharat, and National Digital Health Mission.
4. Community Engagement and IEC Campaigns
   • Promote respect for sanitation workers through public campaigns.

Conclusion

The NAMASTE Scheme is not merely a welfare initiative—it represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of sanitation workers in India. It addresses occupational safety, economic upliftment, and human dignity, making it a crucial topic in the domains of social justice, governance, and urban development.