Namaste scheme: Sanitation workers in Moradabad given PPE kits and Ayushman cards

What happened

An event was held on 27 October 2026 at Pili Kothi in the Civil Lines area of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Here, under the Namaste scheme of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, sanitation workers were given personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman cards.

Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma handed the kits and cards to eligible beneficiaries. The event was also attended by Moradabad District Magistrate Shri Anunay Jha, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council member Shri Ram Gopal Anjan, District Panchayat President Dr. Shefali Singh Chauhan, the Municipal Commissioner, the Managing Director of the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC), and officials of related departments.

What is the Namaste scheme

Namaste stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem. It is a scheme of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. According to the notice, its aim is to ensure the dignity and safety of sanitation workers and to make them socially and economically stronger.

The minister said this work is being done under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, in which every person gets a chance to contribute to India’s development and benefit from it.

What the national figures show

The minister said at the event that 90,194 sewer and septic tank workers have been verified across the country so far. Of these, 88,222 workers have been provided PPE kits.

Separately, 80,180 workers have been brought under health insurance through Ayushman cards. The notice also said that profiles of 3,36,492 waste pickers have been prepared across the country.

What happened in Moradabad

At the local level in Moradabad, profiles of 307 sewer and septic tank workers were prepared and they were given PPE kits. Here, 1,190 waste pickers were verified through the profiling process.

At the event, 20 sanitation workers were given PPE kits and Ayushman cards on stage as a symbolic gesture. After this, 813 more sanitation workers were given PPE kits.

What workers were told

Shri Verma asked beneficiaries to regularly use the prescribed safety equipment while working. He also advised them to follow safe working practices and to use their Ayushman cards to get health protection facilities.

The District Magistrate and the NSKFDC Managing Director also shared their views. They highlighted the contribution of sanitation workers and stressed the need for coordinated efforts to ensure their safety, health, respect and overall welfare.

What to do next

The notice does not say where or how sanitation workers who have not yet received a kit or card can apply. Such workers can ask their district administration or the concerned department for information.