What happened: NAMASTE proposed rural extension for sanitation workers
The Social Justice Ministry has prepared a proposal to extend the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme beyond towns and cities to rural areas. The proposal seeks expansion of NAMASTE coverage to additional sanitation worker categories.
The proposed additional worker groups include drain cleaners, sewage treatment plant (STP) workers, and faecal sludge treatment plant workers.
The proposed NAMASTE rural expansion has an outlay of around ₹498.73 crore. The outlay is proposed to be used from the current financial year through 2030–31.
Safety rationale in government statements: hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning
The Union government informed Parliament that hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning caused deaths of 498 people across the country between 2019 and June 2026.
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