Organisation : Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (DOSJE)
Scheme Name : National Action For Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)
Applicable State/UT : All India
Website : https://bmsnamaste.dosje.gov.in/login
What is DOSJE NAMASTE Scheme?
NAMASTE is an abbreviation for “National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem”. The scheme is jointly being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The objective of the NAMASTE scheme is to formalize and institutionalised the persons engaged in hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks and promoting safe and mechanized cleaning through trained sanitation workers.
Related / Similar Scheme : SCDCs Scheme of Assistance to Scheduled Castes Development Corporations
Goal of DOSJE NAMASTE Scheme
(i) In the spirit of the decisions of the Group of Ministers, the goal of NAMASTE Scheme is to ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in India by creating an enabling ecosystem that recognizes sanitation workers as one of the key contributors in operations and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure thereby providing sustainable livelihood and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines.
(ii) NAMASTE would aim at providing access to entitlements and livelihoods support to reduce the vulnerabilities of sanitation workers and enable them to access self- employment through providing Capital for Sanitation Related Project to make them “ SANIPRENEUR” and skilled wage employment opportunities after getting occupational Safety Training & PPE Kits.
(iii) In addition, NAMASTE would bring about a behavior change amongst citizens towards sanitation workers and enhance demand for safe sanitation services, as all service seekers have to approach SRU for cleaning of Sewer Septic Tanks, no informal worker will be allowed to undertake such work.
FAQ On DOSJE NAMASTE Scheme
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ On DOSJE NAMASTE Scheme
1) Which is the implementing agency for ‘NAMASTE’ scheme?
The National Safai Karmacharis Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) is the implementing agency of ‘NAMASTE’.
2) What is the implementation period for ‘NAMASTE’ scheme?
The ‘NAMASTE’ scheme would be implemented for three years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26.
3) What are the intended outcomes of the NAMASTE scheme?
The intended outcomes of the NAMASTE scheme include zero fatalities in sanitation work, formalization and skilling of sanitation workers, elimination of direct contact with human faecal matter, establishment, strengthening and capacitating of Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), and empowerment of sanitation workers through self-help groups and entrepreneurship, access to alternate livelihood options, and occupational safety training to all sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs).
4) Who does the NAMASTE scheme target?
The scheme primarily targets sewer and septic tank sanitation workers (SSWs) in urban areas of India. This includes workers employed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), parastatal agencies, and private sanitation service organizations and alsoindependent workers. In addition, since 2024 wastepickers have been added as an additional target group.
5) Who is a Sewer and Septic tank sanitation worker (SSW)?
Sanitation workers are those who are engaged in cleaning and maintenance of sewers including those managing pumping stations, maintenance holes, and sewer lines; and those engaged in septic tank cleaning. Such workers may or may not be engaged by ULB/parastatal, empanelled/registered/licensed Private Sanitation Service Organisation (PSSO) and other private sanitation service providers.
6) Who is a PSSO?
PSSO is Private Sanitation Service Organisation who are involved in cleaning and maintenance of sewer and septic tanks and may or may not be empanelled/registered/contracted/licensed with ULB.