Fresh Survey Reports No Manual Scavengers; Mechanisation Expanded Under NAMASTE
Governance & Social Justice · Monday, 3 August 2026
The Union Government informed Parliament that a fresh nationwide survey under the MS Act 2013 identified zero manual scavengers across all districts. Meanwhile, 89,915 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated for welfare support under the NAMASTE scheme.
Quick highlights
- Nationwide survey under MS Act 2013 found no active manual scavengers across districts.
- 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme.
- NAMASTE provides PPE kits, occupational safety training, and capital subsidies for sanitation machinery.
- Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 reinforces mechanised cleaning under its Used Water Management component.
- Focus centers on replacing hazardous human entry with Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs).
Context
The Union Government stated in the Rajya Sabha that a nationwide survey conducted under the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 identified no manual scavengers.
Key Facts
The survey validated 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) under NAMASTE. Supported benefits include health insurance, capital subsidies for equipment, PPE distribution, and integration with SBM-U 2.0.
Significance
Transitioning from manual entry to complete mechanisation directly protects human dignity, complies with constitutional rights under Article 21, and reduces hazardous sanitation accidents.
Challenges / Way Forward
Ensure rigorous local audit of ground realities to prevent unregistered informal hazardous cleaning, accelerate municipal procurement of mechanised cleaning vehicles, and guarantee social security coverage.
Exam Angle
Relevant for GS Paper 2 (Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections, Social Justice) and GS Paper 4 (Human Dignity and Social Ethics).
Remember this
- MS Act Year: Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
- NAMASTE Scheme: National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
- Validated SSWs under NAMASTE: 89,915 workers.
- SBM-U 2.0 Role: Supports mechanised cleaning under Used Water Management.
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