The Indian government has shared updates on its efforts to eliminate manual scavenging, improve the safety and welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs), and promote mechanised sanitation through various initiatives.
The Government of India has reiterated its commitment to eradicating manual scavenging and ensuring the safety, dignity, and welfare of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs). According to Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale's written reply to Shri Derek O' Brien in the Rajya Sabha, a fresh survey conducted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) across all districts of India found no instances of manual scavenging. To address this issue, the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme was launched during 2023-24 with the goal of ensuring the safety and dignity of SSWs through mechanisation and comprehensive welfare measures. As of the survey, 89,915 SSWs have been validated across India, with state-wise details provided in the House.
The Government is implementing various interventions under the NAMASTE Scheme to enhance occupational safety and promote mechanised sanitation. These include the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, occupational safety training, provision of safety devices to Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), upfront capital subsidy for sanitation-related machinery, health insurance coverage, and workshops on the prevention of hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. The Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) 2.0, launched on 1 October 2021, incorporates Used Water Management (UWM) as a key component to eradicate hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks by promoting mechanised sewer and septic tank cleaning operations.
In addition, the Government has made it illegal to construct or maintain insanitary latrines and banned the employment of any person for hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. The Government has also requested all States and Union Territories to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the Act.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
