The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment announced on 18 September 2026 that the central government is working to prioritize support for historically neglected groups. Union Minister of State B. L. Verma made the statement while launching welfare initiatives for sanitation workers in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh.
What was distributed and who received it
The government handed out protective equipment and financial assistance to sanitation workers and waste pickers in Budaun. Forty sewer and septic tank workers and thirty waste pickers received safety gear. Additionally, thirty-one sanitation workers were given Ayushman cards for health coverage, while six sanitation workers received auto-rickshaw keys to support their livelihoods.
These distributions were part of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, which aims to protect the safety and dignity of sanitation workers while improving their economic and social standing.
Bigger numbers across the country
- Over 90,157 sewer and septic tank workers have been registered under the scheme, with 87,078 receiving protective equipment and 76,920 covered by health insurance.
- More than 5 lakh waste pickers have been registered nationally, of which over 3.15 lakh have been verified.
- Approximately 1,79,269 waste pickers have received protective equipment so far.
- In Budaun specifically, 146 sewer workers and 339 waste pickers have completed the verification process.
What this means for you
If you work in sanitation—whether as a sewer worker, septic tank cleaner, or waste picker—the government is attempting to formalize your employment through registration. This means you become eligible for safety gear, health insurance, and in some cases, support to shift to alternative livelihoods like driving an auto-rickshaw. The scheme recognizes sanitation work as essential labour and seeks to provide dignity and economic security to those in the sector.