UPSC Current Affairs
NAMASTE SCHEME: EMPOWERMENT OF SANITATION WORKERS
Why in news : The Hon’ble Minister shared information about the NAMASTE scheme. National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem was Launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) It was launched in 2023-24 as a Central Sector Scheme with a budget… It aimed at ensuring dignity, safety, and social-economic empowerment of sanitation workers.
VRAuthor Desk
2 min read
Why in news : The Hon’ble Minister shared information about the NAMASTE scheme. National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem was Launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) It was launched in 2023-24 as a Central Sector Scheme with a budget… It aimed at ensuring dignity, safety, and social-economic empowerment of sanitation workers.
Why in news :
- The Hon’ble Minister shared information about the NAMASTE scheme.
- National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem was Launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- It was launched in 2023-24 as a Central Sector Scheme with a budget allocation of 349.73 crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
- It aimed at ensuring dignity, safety, and social-economic empowerment of sanitation workers.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Under the scheme, 85,819 Sewer & Septic Tank Workers have been profiled so far,
| Indicator |
Number Achieved |
| Sewer & Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) Profiled |
85,819 |
| PPE Kits Distributed |
76,736 |
| Ayushman Bharat Cards Issued |
60,586 |
BROADER SIGNIFICANCE
Social Justice:
- Target Group: Sewer & septic tank workers – one of the most marginalized and stigmatized occupational groups.
- Focus on “Priority to the Deprived” – aligning with India’s inclusive growth model.
Health & Safety:
- Ayushman Bharat cards ensure healthcare access.
- PPE kits and equipment promote occupational safety, preventing deaths from hazardous cleaning.
Livelihood & Dignity:
- Profiling workers enables targeted skilling, credit access, and welfare services.
- A step toward eradicating manual scavenging, in line with constitutional and legal mandates.
WHAT IS MANUAL SCAVENGING?
- Manual scavenging refers to the manual handling and removal of human excreta from dry latrines, open drains, septic tanks, gutters, and sewers.
- In India, this practice is prohibited under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (PEMSR). The Act recognizes manual scavenging as a “dehumanizing practice” and aims to correct the systemic and historical injustices faced by those engaged in it.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES RELATED TO MANUAL SCAVENGING
Several initiatives have been launched to eliminate manual scavenging and support the rehabilitation of those previously engaged in it:
- Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SESRM)
- National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
- Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan
- Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
These programs aim to provide financial support, alternative employment opportunities, skill development, and dignity to former manual scavengers.
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Economy, Polity & Governance, Health.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to NAMASTE SCHEME: EMPOWERMENT OF SANITATION WORKERS, consider the following statements:
- The Hon’ble Minister shared information about the NAMASTE scheme.
- National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem was Launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- It was launched in 2023-24 as a Central Sector Scheme with a budget allocation of 349.73 crores for the period from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of NAMASTE SCHEME: EMPOWERMENT OF SANITATION WORKERS for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- Why in news :
- KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- BROADER SIGNIFICANCE
- Social Justice:
- Health & Safety:
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Namaste Scheme: Empowerment Of Sanitation Workers in the news?
Why in news : The Hon’ble Minister shared information about the NAMASTE scheme. National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem was Launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) It was launched in 2023-24 as a Central Sector Scheme with a budget…
What are the key facts about Namaste Scheme: Empowerment Of Sanitation Workers?
It aimed at ensuring dignity, safety, and social-economic empowerment of sanitation workers. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Under the scheme, 85,819 Sewer & Septic Tank Workers have been profiled so far, Indicator Number Achieved Sewer & Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) Profiled 85,819 PPE Kits Distributed 76,736 Ayushman Bharat Cards Issued 60,586 BROADER SIGNIFICANCE… Focus on “Priority to the Deprived” – aligning with India’s inclusive growth model.
Why is Namaste Scheme: Empowerment Of Sanitation Workers important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Economy, Polity & Governance, Health and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.