In a historic policy move that could redefine India’s waste management ecosystem, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has formalised a pivotal collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to integrate the country’s wastepickers into the formal economy.
Signed under the umbrella of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE), the agreement is expected to uplift the lives of nearly 2.5 lakh informal waste workers across India, giving them long overdue recognition, social security, and access to financial and technological inclusion.The partnership represents more than administrative coordination—it signals a transformative shift in how India perceives its invisible workforce. Often relegated to the fringes of the urban landscape, wastepickers have long served as the unacknowledged backbone of the country’s recycling and sanitation ecosystem. With the wastepicker component formally added to the NAMASTE scheme in FY 2024, the new agreement establishes a systemic route for inclusion, dignity, and development for this crucial labour segment.
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A cornerstone of this pact is the creation of State-level Project Management Units (PMUs), backed by targeted financial support from UNDP. These units will act as vital conduits between Central and State governments to ensure seamless execution, improved governance, and more robust monitoring of the initiative. The Ministry’s collaboration with the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) further reinforces the institutional backing behind this mission.At the heart of this reform is the digital enumeration of wastepickers through the NAMASTE mobile application, which will issue occupational identity cards to each registered individual.
This marks a historic transition from anonymity to formal identity, enabling wastepickers to avail themselves of a broad spectrum of entitlements—from Ayushman Bharat health insurance and PPE kits to skill development training and capital subsidies for waste collection vehicles.Equally critical is the push towards collective empowerment. By incentivising the formation of cooperatives to operate Decentralised Waste Collection Centres (DWCCs), the government aims to nurture community-led waste management models that are both sustainable and resilient. These interventions are poised to elevate wastepickers from daily-wage earners to recognised entrepreneurs and environmental stewards.
This convergence of policy vision and international partnership underscores a larger socio-economic commitment—creating inclusive cities that are not only smart but also just. With the informal waste sector contributing significantly to India’s circular economy, formalising this labour force is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for sustainable urban development.As India continues its trajectory towards net-zero and sustainable cities, the integration of wastepickers into formal governance and economic structures marks a pivotal step in aligning environmental priorities with social justice. The NAMASTE scheme, backed by UNDP’s global development acumen, offers more than symbolic recognition—it promises real change on the ground.
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