60‑year‑old cleaning worker Mr. Subramanyan of Puducherry Municipal Corporation has found a new life through the Namaste Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme provides him with protective equipment and training.
Mr. Subramanyan has been cleaning sewers and septic tanks for over 15 years. Exposure to hazardous waste caused skin infections and breathing difficulties, adding an economic burden on his family.
A Major Change Brought by the Namaste Scheme
In 2025, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s ‘National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem’ (Namaste) scheme, he received a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit. The kit includes a protective over‑all, sturdy gloves, gumboots, a face mask and a safety helmet.
Receiving safety gear and awareness training has improved his health and reduced medical expenses. Better health and continuity have increased his monthly income from ₹12,000 to ₹16,000–18,000.