National Survey Targets Sewer and Septic Tank Workers Safety
On December 16, 2025, a nationwide survey was conducted across over 4800 Urban Local Bodies in India under the NAMASTE scheme. It aimed to enhance the safety and dignity of sewer and septic tank workers. Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the NAMASTE scheme seeks to mechanize sanitation processes and eradicate hazardous manual cleaning tasks. Since 2019, 471 sanitation workers have died due to unsafe cleaning practices, underscoring the urgent need for the initiative. Efforts under the scheme include providing safety devices, capital subsidies for sanitation equipment, and safety training for workers. Additionally, previous schemes focused on rehabilitating manual scavengers have been integrated into NAMASTE, further supporting these workers with financial assistance and skill development. The aim is to achieve zero fatalities in this sector through comprehensive reforms and safety measures.
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