✅Govt. has formulated the NAMASTE scheme (national action for mechanized sanitation ecosystem) for cleaning sewers, and septic tanks (to be implemented from 2022 to 2026)

✅Aim: It aims to achieve outcomes like zero fatalities in sanitation work in India, no sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter and all Sewer and Septic tank sanitation workers have access to alternative livelihoods.

✅Nodal Ministries:  Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

✅It will replace the previous scheme: Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers.*Note: There is also a NAMASTE Portal (under the Ministry of Ayush) to standardize the various terms and technologies used in alternative medicines.