NAMASTE Scheme Expansion Targets Safer Rural Sanitation

Why in the News ?

The Centre is considering expanding the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) from urban areas to rural India. The proposed expansion would cover additional sanitation workers and receive about ₹498.73 crore during 2026–27 to 2030–31.

NAMASTE Scheme: Expansion and Key Features

•     The NAMASTE scheme was launched in 2023-24 to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and prevent sanitation-related deaths.
•     Initially, the scheme focused on sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs) and was later expanded to include waste pickers.
•     The Centre now proposes extending the scheme to rural areas.
•     The expanded coverage is expected to include:

○      Drain cleaners

○      Workers in sewage treatment plants (STPs)

○      Workers in faecal sludge treatment plants

○      Waste pickers

•     The government has proposed an estimated ₹498.73 crore expenditure for the expanded programme up to 2030-31.
•     Around 90,915 SSWs and 1.3 lakh waste pickers have reportedly been profiled under the scheme.
•     Major components include capital subsidies, training, personal protective equipment (PPE) and support for emergency sanitation-response units.
•     Eligible workers can receive capital subsidies of up to 50% of project cost for sanitation-related self-employment activities.

Implementation Gaps and Concerns

•     Despite the scheme’s objectives, implementation remains limited, particularly in providing financial assistance to sanitation workers.
•     Only 810 SSWs had been approved for capital subsidies, with merely 147 receiving funds as of March 31, 2026.
•     Of around 58,000 identified manual scavengers, only 2,652 projects had been approved.
•     The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has repeatedly raised concerns over the rejection of applications under capital subsidy and self-employment components.
•     Rejections have reportedly affected both the Safai Udyami Yojana and sanitation-service organisations.
•     The Social Justice Ministry reported 498 deaths linked to hazardous sewer and septic-tank cleaning between 2019 and June 2026.
•     The low approval rate indicates the need for transparent eligibility criteria, faster fund disbursement, effective grievance redressal and stronger monitoring.
•     Expansion to rural areas should therefore be accompanied by adequate institutional capacity, mechanisation and worker protection.

 About Manual Scavenging & Sanitation :

•     Manual scavenging involves manually handling, carrying, cleaning or disposing of human excreta from insanitary latrines or related sanitation systems.
•     The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 prohibits manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
•     The law provides for rehabilitation and alternative livelihood support for identified manual scavengers.
•     Mechanisation is essential for eliminating human exposure to hazardous sanitation work.
•     NAMASTE focuses on formal identification, training, safety equipment, mechanised sanitation and livelihood support for sanitation workers.
•     The issue is closely connected with Article 17, which abolishes untouchability, and the constitutional values of equality and dignity.
•     Effective implementation is important for achieving social justice, occupational safety, public health and human dignity.