• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for recognising and strengthening the waste pickers’ contribution in waste collection, recovery and recycling.

• The agreement was signed on May 1.

• The initiative would be providing them improved access to finance and relevant technologies along with a safe and sustainable work environment.

• Under the agreement, the UNDP will provide financial assistance to set up state project management units (PMUs) across multiple states to ensure better coordination between central and state authorities and streamline implementation.

• Waste pickers have been added as a component under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme from the financial year 2024. 

• NAMASTE is being implemented by the ministry for broadening the formal inclusion of waste pickers across India, with an aim to formally identify and support around 2.5 lakh people engaged in this activity across the country.

• The initiative includes issuing occupational photo ID cards, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, skill training, PPE kits, and capital subsidies for waste collection vehicles.

• It also encourages the formation of waste picker collectives to manage decentralised waste collection centres, boosting both livelihoods and dignity, the statement said.

• So far, over 5,000 waste pickers have been digitally profiled using a dedicated mobile application under the scheme, signalling a major milestone in their formal integration into the sanitation workforce.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)