Govt Distributes Sanitation Kits & Health Cards for Sanitation Workers under NAMASTE Scheme

SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being | SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | Government of Goa

Under the NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme, the government held an event in Panaji, Goa to distribute PPE kits, safety equipment, and Ayushman health cards to sewer, septic tank workers and waste pickers. As of now, 90,494 such workers have been profiled; 84,077 have received PPE kits; and 68,341 have been issued Ayushman Cards under this scheme. In Goa, 252 workers were validated and a symbolic distribution (10 kits, 10 cards) was conducted, alongside a fashion show to raise awareness. NAMASTE aims to enhance safety, dignity, and socio-economic empowerment of sanitation workers across India.

This initiative underscores India is trying to integrate health coverage, workplace safety, and identity welfare for sanitation workers—who operate in hazardous environments yet often lack formal recognition. Issuing Ayushman Cards can facilitate access to health services, while PPE and safety gear reduce occupational hazards. Profiling is a crucial first step toward targeted support, but ensuring continuous monitoring, compliance, and enforcement (especially in rural or informal settings) remains a challenge. For social justice and labor ministries, this programme offers a template: combine social protection, occupational safety, and health access for marginalized workers in one integrated scheme.

Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders
How will the government ensure that all sanitation workers in remote, rural, and informal settings are effectively profiled, equipped, and covered under NAMASTE—without exclusion or delays?

Follow the full press release here:
Distribution of Sanitation Kits and Ayushman Cards Under NAMASTE Scheme

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