Centre approved safety-equipment support under the NAMASTE scheme on 16 July 2026, extending mechanised sanitation and PPE provisioning for sewer and septic‑tank workers.
Scheme overview
- Name & type: National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE); Central Sector Scheme launched July 2023.
- Implementing ministries: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Core aim: Replace direct manual contact with faecal matter through mechanised equipment, safety devices and Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs).
Coverage & recent numbers
- Worker profiling: 90,942 sewer/septic‑tank workers profiled; 89,248 validated (as of 14 July 2026).
- PPE distribution: 87,037 Personal Protective Equipment kits provided (as of 15 July 2026).
- Health insurance: Over 76,000 workers covered under various health‑insurance schemes.
- Safety devices dispatched: 753 safety‑device kits sent to ERSUs (as of April 2026).
Financial & operational support
- ERSU reimbursement: Up to ₹2,00,000 per Emergency Response Sanitation Unit on reimbursement; conditional on appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authorities and worker training.
- Capital subsidy: Up to ₹5.00 lakh for procurement of sanitation vehicles and mechanised equipment.
- Components funded: Mechanised cleaning devices, PPE kits, safety‑device kits and worker training.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- PPE: Protective clothing and equipment to reduce occupational exposure to hazardous biological and chemical agents.
- Central Sector scheme: Fully financed by the Government of India.
- ERSU placement: Intended for municipal corporations and district administrations for rapid hazardous‑waste response.