SAFETY AND WELFARE OF SANITATION WORKERS

• NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) is the Government of India's flagship scheme for safety, dignity and mechanisation of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs).
• Jointly steered by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), implemented by NSKFDC.
• High UPSC salience: intersects Article 17 (untouchability), Article 21 (right to life with dignity), DPSPs, MS Act 2013, SDG-6 (sanitation) and welfare of vulnerable castes (predominantly SC/Valmiki community).