The Central Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the complete eradication of manual scavenging and the rehabilitation of identified manual scavengers through sustained financial assistance, skill development and livelihood support under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar shared these details in reply to question in Rajya Sabha by Shri G.C. Chandrashekhar. The House was informed that a fresh nationwide survey conducted during 2024-25 under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 did not identify any manual scavengers in any district of the country.

He further stated that 58,098 manual scavengers had been identified through the nationwide surveys conducted in 2013 and 2018. All identified manual scavengers have been provided One-Time Cash Assistance (OTCA) of ₹40,000 each as part of the Government's rehabilitation efforts.

The House was also informed that the rehabilitation initiatives under the erstwhile Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), now subsumed under the NAMASTE Scheme launched in July 2023, continue to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities. From 2023-24 to 2025-26, 5,632 manual scavengers and their dependents received Skill Development Training, while 483 beneficiaries were provided Capital Subsidy to establish alternative self-employment ventures.

On the issue of sewer and septic tank fatalities, the Minister informed the House that as reported by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), 182 sanitation workers lost their lives due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks during the period from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2026.

Replying to the query regarding action against agencies violating the law, the Minister stated that sanitation is a State subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Therefore, data on agencies violating the law is not maintained centrally. However, as per information reported by the NCSK, 123 FIRs were lodged during the period from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2026 in connection with hazardous sewer and septic tank cleaning.

The Government remains committed to ensuring the dignity, safety and rehabilitation of sanitation workers through mechanised sanitation, effective implementation of the NAMASTE Scheme, and coordinated efforts with States and Union Territories to eliminate manual scavenging in all its forms.

 

***

PR-052-TAR/KV/GA

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2295094) आगंतुक पटल : 126