National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)

• Namaste, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has been approved with an outlay of Rs. 360 crore for four years from 2022-23 to 2025-26.

Objectives

• Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India
• All sanitation work is performed by skilled workers
• No sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter
• Sanitation workers are collectivized into SHGs and are empowered to run sanitation enterprises
• All Sewer and Septic tank sanitation workers (SSWs) have access to alternative livelihoods
• Strengthened supervisory and monitoring systems at national, state and ULB levels to ensure enforcement and monitoring of safe sanitation work
• Increased awareness amongst sanitation services seekers (individuals and institutions) to seek services from registered and skilled sanitation workers

Prelims Takeaway

• National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)