NAMASTE Day in Lucknow: helpline 14473 for waste pickers launched
On 16 July 2025 in Lucknow, Union MoS for Social Justice B L Verma marked NAMASTE Day by launching helpline 14473 for waste pickers and distributing PPE kits and Ayushman cards.
Summary
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment B L Verma marked the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Day in Lucknow on 16 July 2025. Verma launched helpline 14473 for waste pickers and an AR/VR module for occupational safety training of sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs), and distributed PPE kits and Ayushman cards. Verma said 85,067 SSWs have been profiled under the scheme, 45,871 have received PPE kits and 40,166 have received Ayushman cards. The NAMASTE scheme is implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 with a budget of ₹349.73 crore.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 16 July 2025, Lucknow
- Led by
- MoS B L Verma
- Launched
- Helpline 14473 for waste pickers; AR/VR safety training module
- Progress
- 85,067 SSWs profiled; 45,871 PPE kits; 40,166 Ayushman cards
- Scheme (static)
- NAMASTE = National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem; NSKFDC; FY24–FY26; ₹349.73 crore
Practice MCQs 2 questions
On NAMASTE Day, 16 July 2025, which helpline number was launched for waste pickers in Lucknow?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 14473
PIB (MoSJE): MoS B L Verma inaugurated the helpline (14473) for waste pickers in Lucknow.
The NAMASTE scheme, whose day was observed on 16 July 2025, is implemented by which body and for what period?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — NSKFDC; FY 2023-24 to 2025-26
PIB (MoSJE): the scheme is being implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for three years from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 with a budget of Rs 349.73 crore.