Lok Sabha Question No. 211 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Safety of Sanitation Workers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. †*211 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## SAFETY OF SANITATION WORKERS

## **211. SHRI BABU SINGH KUSHWAHA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of beneficiaries provided assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Scheme and Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) so far;
- (b) the progress made so far to ensure safety and dignity for sanitation workers under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (Namaste);
- (c) the number of districts where awareness programmes have been organised under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan; and
- (d) the total number of beneficiaries under the Schemes being run for senior citizens and Divyangjan during the year 2023-24?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## Statement in answer to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 211 for 10.12.2024 by Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha regarding Safety of Sanitation Workers.

- (a): Since 2021-22, the total number of candidates who have been provided assistance under Pradhan Mantri Dakshta aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Scheme is 1,55,208. Under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED), 1305 Self Help Groups (SHGs) were formed which involved 11,823 beneficiaries under Livelihood Component and 9,005 Ayushman Cards have been issued to De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNTs).
- (b): Under National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme, 57,758 Sewer and Septic tank Workers (SSWs) have been profiled, out of which 54,574 have been validated in 33 States/ UTs. A total of 16,791 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits for Emergency Response Sanitation Units have been supplied. Ayushman Cards have been issued to 13,604 beneficiaries. Capital subsidy of Rs 13.96 crore have been released to 503 sanitation workers and their dependents for sanitation related projects. In addition, capital subsidy of Rs 2.85 crore was released for 226 beneficiaries and their dependents belonging to manual scavenger category under NAMASTE Scheme to take up alternate self-employment projects. 837 workshops have also been conducted on Prevention of Hazardous Cleaning of Sewer and Septic Tanks in Municipal Corporation/ Municipality etc. since FY 2023-24.
- (c): Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15" August, 2020 by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts. From August, 2023, NMBA has been extended to all districts across the country.
- (d): During the year 2023-24, the total number of beneficiaries in Integrated Programme for Senior Citizen (IPSrC) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) including support given to beneficiaries through Mobile Medicare Unit (MMU) were 2,20,404.

Though, relief to the disabled is a State subject by virtue of entry 9 of the State List of the Constitution of India, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments through its major schemes. During the year 2023-24, Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) was made available to 346864 beneficiaries. 30589 beneficiaries were benefitted under Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), 29374 under Scholarship Schemes and 9333 under the skilling scheme of Scheme for Implementation of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA).

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