Union MoS B.L. Verma Launches Helpline 14473 for Waste Pickers on ‘NAMASTE Day’ in Lucknow.
National
A major initiative was launched on July 16, 2025, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where Union Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice and Empowerment B.L. Verma unveiled a dedicated helpline number 14473 for waste pickers. This launch took place during a special programme organised to commemorate ‘NAMASTE Day’—the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem initiative, focusing on sanitation workers’ welfare and mechanisation of sewer/septic cleaning operations.
- The helpline launch event was led by MoS B.L. Verma under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), and it included the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman Bharat cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers. The event aimed to raise awareness about mechanised sanitation and provide direct support to frontline sanitation workers.
- The event also saw the presence of key dignitaries including Yogita Swaroop, Senior Financial Advisor at MoSJE, and Angela Lusigi, the India Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), along with several officers from State and Central Governments. Their participation emphasised the importance of global partnerships in improving sanitation workforce conditions.
Main Point :- (i) As part of the NAMASTE Yojana, B.L. Verma announced the successful profiling of 85,067 sewer septic tank workers so far. PPE kits have been distributed to 45,871 SSWs, and Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued to 40,166 workers, marking a significant health protection milestone for India’s sanitation workforce.
(ii) The programme also featured the launch of an Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) Training Module, designed to train SSWs in occupational safety practices. A fashion show was also organised to creatively highlight the safety and functionality of PPE kits under the NAMASTE initiative, promoting awareness through engagement.
(iii) Additionally, specialised safety equipment was distributed for Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs), ensuring readiness for sanitation-related crisis situations. This aligns with the central government's goal of ensuring dignity, safety, and mechanisation for sanitation workers under the NAMASTE scheme.
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