What happened: 2024–25 nationwide survey and rehabilitation updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reported that a nationwide survey for 2024–25 found no manual scavengers in any district of India. The Minister made the statement in a Rajya Sabha reply while reiterating the Government’s commitment to eliminate manual scavenging and to rehabilitate identified workers through financial assistance, skill development, and livelihood support under the NAMASTE Scheme.
The Minister also provided rehabilitation and worker-safety figures: One-Time Cash Assistance (OTCA) of ₹40,000 each was provided to all workers identified earlier in nationwide surveys (2013 and 2018). NAMASTE-related interventions from 2023–24 to 2025–26 included Skill Development Training for manual scavengers and their dependents and Capital Subsidy for alternative self-employment ventures.
On fatalities from sewer and septic tank cleaning, the Minister relied on information from the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) for the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2026, and also cited the number of FIRs lodged in connection with hazardous cleaning during the same period.
Background and earlier position: Manual scavengers identified earlier, rehabilitation through schemes
Prior nationwide surveys in 2013 and 2018 had identified manual scavengers. The Government’s rehabilitation approach for identified manual scavengers has included one-time cash support and support for skills and alternative livelihoods.
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