Mechanised sanitation scheme in rural India

• Expansion of mechanised sanitation: The Centre is set to expand the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) to strengthen mechanised sanitation practices beyond urban areas.
• Core objective: Replace hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks with mechanised methods while ensuring the safety, dignity and social security of sanitation workers.
• Rural relevance: The move is significant because sanitation challenges are increasingly linked with faecal sludge management, septic-tank cleaning and waste management in rural areas.
• Existing rural framework: Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G) Phase II focuses on sustaining ODF status and achieving ODF Plus through solid and liquid waste management.

NAMASTE Scheme

• Full form: National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
• Launched: FY 2023-24.
• Objective: Ensure safety, dignity and social security of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
• Approach: Promote mechanisation and eliminate hazardous manual cleaning.
• Workers: The scheme originally focused on sewer and septic tank workers.
• Waste pickers: Since June 2024, waste pickers in both urban and rural areas have also been included.

Key Features

• Mechanisation: Promote the use of machines for hazardous sanitation activities.
• Worker identification: Identification and validation of sanitation workers.
• Occupational safety: Reduce exposure to hazardous waste and toxic gases.
• Protective equipment: Promote safe working practices and appropriate safety equipment.
• Livelihood support: Encourage alternative livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
• Social security: Extend welfare and social-security support to sanitation workers.
• Dignity of labour: Move away from dependence on hazardous manual cleaning.

UPSC Prelims Question — English

Q. With reference to the NAMASTE Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It seeks to promote mechanised sanitation and eliminate hazardous manual cleaning.
2. It focuses on the safety, dignity and social security of sewer and septic tank workers.
3. Waste pickers in both urban and rural areas have been included under the scheme since 2024.
4. It is implemented as a component of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen Phase II.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: B — 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: NAMASTE is a scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment focused on mechanised sanitation and the safety and dignity of sanitation workers. Waste pickers were included from June 2024. It is not a component of SBM-G Phase II, although both contribute to broader sanitation objectives.