Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Friday launched the distribution of NAMASTE Cards among waste pickers from the MCD’s Najafgarh Zone at an event in Matiala, Delhi.
Held at the MCD Community Hall, the programme highlighted the government’s efforts to formally recognise waste pickers and promote their socio-economic welfare under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme.
Athawale also handed over Ayushman Cards to the waste pickers, providing them with access to healthcare benefits as part of efforts to strengthen support for sanitation workers.
Speaking at the event, Athawale praised waste pickers for their vital role in maintaining cleanliness in cities and contributing to public health. He assured the workers of continued government assistance to improve their working conditions and help them access various welfare schemes.
Over 300 waste pickers from the Najafgarh Zone attended the programme.
NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that seeks to promote the safety, dignity and socio-economic well-being of sanitation workers, including sewer and septic tank workers as well as waste pickers.
The scheme provides for occupational safety, formal identification of workers, healthcare and social security benefits, skill development and mechanisation of hazardous sanitation activities, with the larger goal of ending hazardous manual cleaning practices across the country.
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