NAMASTE Scheme Awareness Programme to Be Held in Pilibhit

Pilibhit NAMASTE Scheme Awareness Drive Launches. One of the main outreach events that will be held as part of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) will be held on February 26, 2026, in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, to strengthen the safety and dignity of sanitation workers. 

Honored at the Gandhi Prekshagrih which is located at Gandhi Stadium, Nakhasa, it sheds light on the push by India against manual scavenging by mechanization and welfare.

What is the NAMASTE Scheme ?

Launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, NAMASTE aims at Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers, to ensure mechanization of sanitation to get rid of dangerous manual work. 

The major aspects are, the digital profiling of 1 lakh SSWs, PM-JAY health insurance, safety training, the provision of PPE, capital subsidies to a maximum of 5 lakh on equipment, and the IEC campaigns. 

It replaces the now-gone Self Employment Scheme of Rehabilitation of the Manual Scavengers (SRMS) with an urban-targeted 500 AMRUT cities.

Pilibhit Event Highlights

The programme will also disperse PPE kits to curb the occupational risks such as toxic exposure and infections in the course of sewer cleaning. 

Ayushman Cards will provide the beneficiaries with the health coverage under PM-JAY, which ensures that the beneficiaries receive medical assistance in a timely manner. 

Sewing machines are given to workers who are trained to have alternative livelihood and promote diversification of skills as well as economic autonomy.

What is the Role of NSKFDC?

The established funds are channeled through state agencies, RRBs and banks at the concessional rates by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) which was formed in 1997 under the ministry. 

It promotes NAMASTE through low-interest loans (5-6% of projects), initial subsidies, and non-loan programs in the upliftment of safai karamcharis. 

The event will be attended by NSKFDC representatives, Union/State ministers and MLA, as well as the district officials.

The Sanitation Environment of Pilhibhit

One of the areas that face sanitation problems is Pilibhit district in the Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, which shares borders with Nepal, as of late it witnesses laxes of outsourcing workers who report to suspended workers to perform their duties. 

• It has various communities and forests such as Pilibhit Tiger Reserve and thus requires strong interventions in terms of urban rural hygiene. 

• Such level of awareness coincides with the national objectives, tackling the weaknesses of smaller towns.

• NAMASTE helps Swachh Bharat by prioritizing the needy areas, deaths (more than 600 deaths every year due to manual scavenging prior to programs) due to mechanization. 

• It fosters financial inclusion, and subsidies allow the purchase of vehicles to clean them safely. The occurrences such as Pilibhits enhance reach, create coordination towards a lasting transformation.

The involvement of the multiple stakeholders will guarantee penetration of the schemes and empower the SSWs to dignity. The next stages are to new cities, using technology to monitor and train. Such Pilibhit activity is a good example of an inclusive development essential to the sanitation equity of India.