NAMASTE Scheme Expansion and Subsidy Challenges

Government plans to expand NAMASTE scheme to rural India. It will cover drain cleaners and sewage treatment plant workers. Started in 2023-24 to stop sewer deaths, the project now needs ₹498.73 crore through 2030-31. National Commission for Scheduled Castes has shared concerns about high application rejection rates.

Scheme performance update

Data from March 31, 2026, shows that 90,915 sewer and septic tank workers were profiled. Out of these, only 810 received approval for capital subsidies. Only 147 workers actually got funds. The Ministry reported 498 deaths from hazardous cleaning between 2019 and June 2026. Although 85,743 PPE kits have been handed out, the low approval rate for self-employment projects remains a big problem for eligible people.