NATIONAL ACTION FOR MECHANISED SANITATION ECOSYSTEM (NAMASTE)

• Central Sector Scheme for safety, dignity & social security of Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) through mechanisation and elimination of hazardous manual cleaning.
• Jointly launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA); implemented by NSKFDC.
• Successor framework to the earlier Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS); operationalises the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013.
• Aspirant relevance: GS-II (welfare of vulnerable sections, SC/Safai Karamcharis) and GS-I (social issues / caste).