A protective equipment kit provided under the NAMASTE scheme has made working conditions safer for a sanitation worker from Maharashtra, the Social Justice Ministry says in a case study.
The worker, identified as Ramesh Babu Patil, 42 (name changed), had worked for years amid waste, dust and harmful substances without proper protection. As the main earner for his family, his health problems threatened his ability to keep working.
In 2025–26 he received a kit with gloves, masks, safety shoes, uniforms and other gear under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme. The ministry says his health improved considerably and he fell ill less often. It adds that no change in his income has been reported.
This is one individual's story and not data on the scheme's wider results.
Source: official release by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (04 NOV 2026 3:46PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: From Occupational Risks to Safer and Dignified Work.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2332501) issued by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on 04 NOV 2026 3:46PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.From Occupational Risks to Safer and Dignified Work — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
