Raipur, September 06, 2026: Chhattisgarh has jointly secured the first position in the country in the ranking of state performances under the Central Government’s ‘National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem’ (NAMASTE) scheme.
Chhattisgarh has achieved significant milestones in ensuring the safety, dignity, and social security of sewer and septic tank workers, as well as in promoting mechanization in sanitation operations. Along with Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Puducherry jointly hold the top spot nationwide for the implementation of the ‘NAMASTE’ scheme.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Arun Sao, congratulated urban local bodies, departmental officials and staff, and all field personnel involved in the implementation of the ‘NAMASTE’ scheme on this achievement.
Sao stated that the state government is according top priority to the safety, dignity, and improved working conditions of sanitation workers. It is the government’s commitment to eliminate hazardous tasks by promoting mechanization in sanitation work and to provide a safe and dignified working environment for sanitation workers.
He remarked that Chhattisgarh securing the joint first position nationally under the ‘NAMASTE’ scheme is a significant achievement resulting from the work being done here regarding the verification of sanitation workers, provision of safety equipment, occupational safety training, social security, emergency response systems, and the mechanization of sanitation tasks. This achievement further strengthens Chhattisgarh’s commitment to the dignity of sanitation workers, safe sanitation systems, and the goal of achieving zero fatalities during sanitation operations.
Officials from the Urban Administration and Development Department stated that, so far, a survey of 1,487 sewer and septic tank workers has been conducted in the state, with 1,465 workers verified. PPE kits have been distributed to 1,428 workers across 169 urban local bodies, and Ayushman Bharat cards have been provided to 1,374 workers.
Additionally, 139 sewer and septic tank workers have received occupational safety training, while 923 sanitation workers have undergone safety-related training through organized workshops.
They stated that ‘Namaste’ Day was observed across all urban local bodies in the state on July 14 of this year, with the participation of over 15,000 sanitation workers, public representatives, government officials and employees, and citizens. These events included health check-ups and Occupational Safety Training (OST) for sanitation workers, felicitation of staff, and the distribution of PPE kits and Ayushman health cards.
Extensive work is also being undertaken for waste pickers under the ‘Namaste’ scheme. A total of 8,527 waste pickers have been profiled in the state, with 6,799 of them already verified. Among these, 991 waste pickers have received PPE kits, while 512 have undergone Occupational Safety Training. Preparations are currently underway to provide training to another 6,287 waste pickers.
Departmental officials reported that 47 Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) have been established in the state to strengthen the emergency response system for sanitation workers. These ERSUs have been set up across 14 municipal corporations, 24 district headquarters, and 9 other highly populated urban bodies. Safety kits have already been provided to 39 of these ERSUs. A system for rapid and safe response to emergency sanitation needs is being developed through these ERSUs and the 14420 helpline.
Evaluation of States: The implementation of the ‘NAMASTE’ scheme across states was evaluated on a scale of 100 marks. The allocation of marks is as follows: 20 marks for the verification of profiled sanitation workers; 10 marks for mechanization through SUY; 20 marks for the operation of ERSU and the 14420 helpline; 20 marks for social security coverage; and 30 marks for enforcement, compensation, and accountability regarding sanitation-related fatalities. Additionally, there is a provision for negative marking in cases of sanitation-related deaths. Based on these established evaluation criteria, Chhattisgarh has jointly secured the first rank.
The Government of India launched the ‘NAMASTE’ scheme in 2023 to provide safe and dignified livelihoods, social security, and workplace safety to sewer and septic tank workers. The scheme aims to increase the mechanization of sanitation work, eliminate the practice of unsafe and hazardous manual cleaning, and achieve the goal of zero fatalities during sanitation operations.
The scheme covers sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs), waste pickers, drain cleaners, and personnel working in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Fecal Sludge Treatment Plants (FSTPs).
The scheme is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). The National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) serves as the national implementing agency.
In Chhattisgarh, the scheme is being effectively implemented at the grassroots level by the Urban Administration and Development Department through all Urban Local Bodies.
