National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) - "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation"

The "National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)" scheme was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The component "Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) Formation and Functionalisation" aims to establish professional, well-trained, motivated and adequately equipped workforce for maintenance and management of sewers and septic tanks, addressing the critical need to eliminate fatalities resulting from workers entering sewers and septic tanks without proper safety measures. The component provides establishment of Emergency Response Sanitation Units in all Municipal Corporations and district headquarters, equipped with trained manpower, requisite safety equipment and citizen helpline number 14420 for emergency sanitation services.

Institutional Setup Benefits

• Establishment of Emergency Response Sanitation Unit in all Municipal Corporations, Water and Sewer Boards in capital cities, and district headquarters.
• Coverage area of 75 kilometers radius from each Emergency Response Sanitation Unit to serve smaller towns within the cluster.

Equipment and Safety Provisions

• Provision of safety devices including Air compressor for blower, Air purified gas mask, breath mask, breathing apparatus, emergency medical oxygen kit, gas motor, full body wader suit, fishing wader suit attached with boots, head lamp, helmet, safety belt, safety body clothing, safety body harness, safety goggles, Tripod with safety belt.
• Financial assistance up to ₹2,00,000/- per Emergency Response Sanitation Unit for safety devices on reimbursement basis.
• Personal Protective Equipment provision for deep cleaning sanitation workers undertaking manual cleaning in emergency conditions.

Operational Support

• Establishment of citizen helpline number 14420 for emergency sanitation service requests.
• Trained manpower deployment with requisite safety equipment availability.
• Professional workforce equipped with Personal Protective Equipment and safety devices for confined space entry.

Training and Capacity Building

• Specific training provision for Sewer Entry Professionals and Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in emergency conditions.
• Competency-based training approach matching global standards for all Emergency Response Sanitation Unit staff.
• Simulation and video-based training with practical assessments and certification.

Conditions

• Safety device reimbursement of ₹2,00,000/- disbursed only after completion of appointment of Responsible Sanitation Authority.
• Financial assistance released only after establishment of functional helpline number 14420.
• Reimbursement processed only after completion of profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers in the jurisdiction.
• Safety equipment funding disbursed only after completion of occupational training of identified sanitation workers.
• Funds released through Public Financial Management System mechanism only.
• Utilisation Certificate submission mandatory for receiving reimbursement.
• Compliance with Government e-Marketplace procurement procedures required for equipment purchase.

For Urban Local Bodies/Administrative Authorities

• The applicant must be a Municipal Corporation seeking to establish Emergency Response Sanitation Unit.
• The applicant must be a Water and Sewer Board located in capital cities of States or Union Territories.
• The applicant must be district headquarters administration requiring emergency sanitation response capabilities.
• The applicant must designate a Responsible Sanitation Authority as District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner for their respective jurisdiction.
• The applicant must establish and maintain functional helpline number 14420 for citizen emergency sanitation service requests.
• The applicant must complete profiling of all Sewer and Septic Tank Workers within their jurisdiction through organised profiling camps.

Operational Requirements

• The applicant should demonstrate capability to serve emergency cleaning operations within 75 kilometers radius including smaller clustered towns.
• The applicant should ensure availability of trained manpower for Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations.
• The applicant should maintain requisite safety equipment and devices for confined space entry operations.

Training and Compliance Requirements

• The applicant must ensure completion of occupational training of all identified Sewer and Septic Tank Workers before seeking reimbursement.
• The applicant should designate and train Sewer Entry Professionals for emergency manual cleaning operations.
• The applicant must comply with provisions of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder.

For Sanitation Workers

• The beneficiary must be a Sewer and Septic Tank Worker engaged in cleaning and maintenance of sewers and septic tanks.
• The beneficiary should be employed by Urban Local Bodies, parastatal agencies, or Private Sanitation Service Organisations.
• The beneficiary must be above 18 years of age for availing training and safety equipment benefits.
• The beneficiary should participate in profiling camps organised by Urban Local Bodies for database creation.

Post-Selection Conditions

• The applicant must maintain continuous operation of helpline number 14420 with adequate response mechanism.
• The applicant must ensure only trained and certified Sewer Entry Professionals undertake manual cleaning in exceptional cases with proper authorization from Responsible Sanitation Authority.
• The applicant must submit utilisation reports and maintain records of Emergency Response Sanitation Unit operations for monitoring purposes.
• The applicant should provide institutional framework for Emergency Response Sanitation Unit with trained manpower availability.
• The applicant must ensure compliance with Manual Scavenging Act 2013 provisions during all operations.

Online

Step 1:**** Portal Registration

• Access the official NAMASTE portal and create institutional account with complete organizational details.- Upload required documents including incorporation certificate, audit reports, and organizational chart.
• Verify bank account details, contact information, and current sanitation infrastructure status.

Step 2:**** Digital Authentication

• Create secure login credentials with strong password and multi-factor authentication setup.
• Submit digital signatures and official seals for institutional verification.
• Complete document review process within 3-5 working days for approval.

Step 3:**** RSA Designation

• Designate District Magistrate or Municipal Commissioner as Responsible Sanitation Authority (RSA).
• Define roles including emergency response coordination and compliance monitoring under Manual Scavengers Act 2013.
• Obtain official approval through competent authority with proper legal notification.

Step 4:**** Documentation Upload

• Upload signed designation order on official letterhead with file number and appointment date.
• Include official seal/stamp and ensure document meets technical specifications (PDF format, minimum 300 DPI).
• Submit supporting documents and organizational chart showing RSA position.

Step 5:**** Verification and Activation

• Receive system-generated acknowledgment with reference number for tracking.
• Monitor portal for status updates and respond to any clarification requests promptly.
• Begin SSW profiling and ERSU establishment preparations upon successful verification.