Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar on Thursday distributed sanitation kits and health insurance cards to sanitation workers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, under a national scheme aimed at improving the safety and welfare of those engaged in sewer and septic tank cleaning.
The distribution was part of the government’s National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem, or NAMASTE, scheme, which seeks to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning and promote mechanized sanitation work.
At the event, personal protective equipment kits and Ayushman health cards were handed out to some of the 110 sanitation workers profiled under the scheme in the region.
Dr. Kumar also issued sanction letters for low-interest loans under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana to facilitate the purchase of mechanized cleaning vehicles.
Additionally, safety equipment for Emergency Response Sanitation Units was handed over to local civic authorities.
Over 68,000 Workers Benefiting Nationally
“The NAMASTE scheme is a step towards ensuring dignity and safety for sanitation workers, while also empowering them socially and economically,” Dr. Kumar said.
He noted that, nationally, over 68,000 sanitation workers have been registered under the programme, with nearly 46,000 receiving PPE kits and more than 28,000 issued Ayushman Bharat health cards.
The event bolstered the Indian government’s continued focus on the welfare of marginalized communities, aligning with its vision for inclusive development.
Local officials and representatives from Maharashtra’s sanitation and backward classes development departments, including MLA Anuradhatai Chavan and senior engineers from the state government, attended the event.
Representatives from the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation and the Mahatma Phule Backward Classes Development Corporation were also present.
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