Sarkari Yojana
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) – “Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation”
About National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) – “Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation”
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, launched “National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).” Its “Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation” component builds a professional, trained, motivated, and properly equipped workforce to maintain and manage sewers and septic tanks, tackling the urgent need to stop deaths among workers entering these spaces without adequate safety measures. It funds Emergency Response Sanitation Units in every Municipal Corporation and district headquarters, staffed with trained personnel, equipped with the necessary safety gear, and backed by the citizen helpline 14420 for emergency sanitation services.
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) - "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation" , applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
For Urban Local Bodies/Administrative Authorities
The applicant must be a Municipal Corporation seeking…
The applicant must be a Municipal Corporation seeking to set up an Emergency Response Sanitation Unit.
The applicant must be a Water and Sewer…
The applicant must be a Water and Sewer Board located in a State or UT capital city.
The applicant must be a district headquarters administration…
The applicant must be a district headquarters administration needing emergency sanitation response capability.
The applicant must designate a District Magistrate or…
The applicant must designate a District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner as the Responsible Sanitation Authority for its jurisdiction.
The applicant must set up and keep running…
The applicant must set up and keep running a helpline (14420) for citizens' emergency sanitation requests.
The applicant must complete profiling of all Sewer…
The applicant must complete profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers in its jurisdiction, via organised profiling camps. Operational Requirements
The applicant should be able to serve emergency…
The applicant should be able to serve emergency cleaning operations within a 75-kilometre radius, smaller clustered towns included.
The applicant should ensure trained manpower is available…
The applicant should ensure trained manpower is available to run the Emergency Response Sanitation Unit.
The applicant should maintain the necessary safety equipment…
The applicant should maintain the necessary safety equipment for confined-space entry operations. Training and Compliance Requirements
The applicant must complete occupational training for all…
The applicant must complete occupational training for all identified Sewer and Septic Tank Workers before seeking reimbursement.
The applicant should designate and train Sewer Entry…
The applicant should designate and train Sewer Entry Professionals for emergency manual cleaning operations.
The applicant must comply with the Prohibition of…
The applicant must comply with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and its Rules. For Sanitation Workers
The beneficiary must be a Sewer and Septic…
The beneficiary must be a Sewer and Septic Tank Worker engaged in cleaning and maintaining sewers and septic tanks.
The beneficiary should be employed by an Urban…
The beneficiary should be employed by an Urban Local Body, a parastatal agency, or a Private Sanitation Service Organisation.
The beneficiary must be above 18 to receive…
The beneficiary must be above 18 to receive training and safety equipment benefits.
The beneficiary should take part in profiling camps…
The beneficiary should take part in profiling camps that Urban Local Bodies organise to build the database. Post-Selection Conditions
The applicant must keep the 14420 helpline running…
The applicant must keep the 14420 helpline running continuously, with an adequate response mechanism.
The applicant must ensure only trained, certified Sewer…
The applicant must ensure only trained, certified Sewer Entry Professionals carry out manual cleaning in exceptional cases, and only with proper authorisation from the Responsible Sanitation Authority.
The applicant must submit utilisation reports and keep…
The applicant must submit utilisation reports and keep records of Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations for monitoring.
The applicant should provide an institutional framework ensuring…
The applicant should provide an institutional framework ensuring trained manpower stays available for the Unit.
The applicant must ensure all operations comply with…
The applicant must ensure all operations comply with the Manual Scavenging Act, 2013.
Benefits Provided
National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) - "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation" provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
Institutional Setup Benefits
Emergency Response Sanitation Units are set up in…
Emergency Response Sanitation Units are set up in every Municipal Corporation, capital-city Water and Sewer Board, and district headquarters.
Each Unit covers a 75-kilometre radius, serving smaller…
Each Unit covers a 75-kilometre radius, serving smaller towns within that cluster. Equipment and Safety Provisions
Safety devices provided include an air compressor for…
Safety devices provided include an air compressor for the blower, air-purified gas mask, breath mask, breathing apparatus, emergency medical oxygen kit, gas motor, full body wader suit, fishing wader suit with boots, head lamp, helmet, safety belt, safety body clothing, safety body harness, safety goggles, and a tripod with safety belt.
Financial assistance of up to ₹2,00,000/- per Emergency…
Financial assistance of up to ₹2,00,000/- per Emergency Response Sanitation Unit covers safety devices, on a reimbursement basis.
Personal Protective Equipment is provided for deep-cleaning sanitation…
Personal Protective Equipment is provided for deep-cleaning sanitation workers doing manual cleaning under emergency conditions. Operational Support
A citizen helpline (14420) is set up for…
A citizen helpline (14420) is set up for emergency sanitation service requests.
Trained manpower is deployed with the necessary safety…
Trained manpower is deployed with the necessary safety equipment.
A professional workforce is equipped with Personal Protective…
A professional workforce is equipped with Personal Protective Equipment and safety gear for confined-space entry. Training and Capacity Building
Dedicated training is provided for Sewer Entry Professionals…
Dedicated training is provided for Sewer Entry Professionals and ERSU staff, covering emergency sewer and septic tank cleaning.
Training follows a competency-based approach matching global standards,…
Training follows a competency-based approach matching global standards, for all ERSU staff.
Training uses simulations and videos, with practical assessments…
Training uses simulations and videos, with practical assessments and certification. Conditions
The ₹2,00,000/- safety device reimbursement is released only…
The ₹2,00,000/- safety device reimbursement is released only after a Responsible Sanitation Authority is appointed.
Financial assistance is released only once the 14420…
Financial assistance is released only once the 14420 helpline is functional.
Reimbursement is processed only after profiling of all…
Reimbursement is processed only after profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers in the jurisdiction is complete.
Safety equipment funding is disbursed only after the…
Safety equipment funding is disbursed only after the identified sanitation workers complete occupational training.
Funds are released only through the Public Financial…
Funds are released only through the Public Financial Management System.
Submitting a Utilisation Certificate is mandatory to receive…
Submitting a Utilisation Certificate is mandatory to receive reimbursement.
Equipment purchases must follow Government e-Marketplace procurement procedures.
Equipment purchases must follow Government e-Marketplace procurement procedures.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
During Application
Resolution from the Municipal Corporation Board or Water…
Resolution from the Municipal Corporation Board or Water and Sewer Board approving the Emergency Response Sanitation Unit's establishment.
A copy of the notification designating the Responsible…
A copy of the notification designating the Responsible Sanitation Authority (District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner).
Proof that the 14420 helpline is established, with…
Proof that the 14420 helpline is established, with operational details.
The complete database of profiled Sewer and Septic…
The complete database of profiled Sewer and Septic Tank Workers in the jurisdiction.
Training completion certificates for the identified Sewer and…
Training completion certificates for the identified Sewer and Septic Tank Workers.
A list of designated, trained Sewer Entry Professionals…
A list of designated, trained Sewer Entry Professionals with certification details. During Reimbursement
Original purchase invoices and bills for safety devices…
Original purchase invoices and bills for safety devices and equipment.
Utilisation certificate for safety devices procured under the…
Utilisation certificate for safety devices procured under the component.
A compliance report confirming adherence to the Manual…
A compliance report confirming adherence to the Manual Scavenging Act, 2013.
An operational report on the Emergency Response Sanitation…
An operational report on the Emergency Response Sanitation Unit's activities and service delivery.
Bank account details with PAN for processing reimbursement
Bank account details with PAN for processing reimbursement. *All documents must be submitted in scanned format, no larger than 2 MB each. *Certificates and official documents must carry attestation from a competent authority. *Financial documents must be original invoices, with proper vendor details and tax compliance.
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants can apply for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) - "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation" through the online application process outlined below.
Portal Registration - Access the official NAMASTE portal…
Portal Registration
Access the official
NAMASTE portal
and create an institutional account with full organisational details.
Upload the required documents — incorporation certificate, audit reports, and organisational chart.
Verify bank account details, contact information, and current sanitation infrastructure status.
Digital Authentication - Create secure login credentials with…
Digital Authentication
Create secure login credentials with a strong password and multi-factor authentication.
Submit digital signatures and official seals for institutional verification.
Complete the document review process within 3-5 working days for approval.
RSA Designation - Designate a District Magistrate or…
RSA Designation
Designate a District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner as the Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA).
Define their role, including emergency response coordination and compliance monitoring under the Manual Scavengers Act, 2013.
Secure formal approval from the competent authority, with proper legal notification.
Documentation Upload - Upload the signed designation order…
Documentation Upload
Upload the signed designation order on official letterhead, with the file number and appointment date.
Include the official seal/stamp, ensuring the document meets technical specs (PDF format, at least 300 DPI).
Submit supporting documents and an organisational chart showing the RSA's position.
Verification and Activation - Receive a system-generated acknowledgment…
Verification and Activation
Receive a system-generated acknowledgment with a reference number for tracking.
Watch the portal for status updates and respond promptly to any clarification requests.
Begin SSW profiling and ERSU establishment preparations once verification succeeds.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.