- Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma distributed PPE kits and Ayushman Bharat health cards to Safai Mitras (sanitation workers) in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. - The distribution is part of the NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme aimed at ensuring safety, dignity, and formalization of sanitation workers. - The NAMASTE scheme focuses on eliminating hazardous manual cleaning, providing safety gear (PPE kits), and extending social security and health benefits like Ayushman cards to vulnerable sanitation workers. - **NAMASTE Scheme:** A Central Sector scheme jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to achieve 100% mechanization of sewer and septic tank cleaning and eliminate hazardous manual scavenging. - **Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:** The world's largest health insurance scheme providing health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to poor and vulnerable families. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The nodal central ministry responsible for formulating and implementing policies, laws, and welfare schemes for the upliftment and social protection of marginalized groups, including Safai Mitras and persons with disabilities. - **Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:** The central ministry responsible for formulating policies, overseeing urban development programs, and driving urban sanitation initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission and mechanization of urban cleaning operations. **Introduction** Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman health cards to Safai Mitras in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, under the aegis of the NAMASTE scheme. The initiative highlights government efforts toward safeguarding sanitation workers, ensuring safe mechanization of cleaning operations, and extending welfare and health coverage to vulnerable sections. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma distributed PPE kits and Ayushman Bharat health cards to Safai Mitras (sanitation workers) in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. - The distribution is part of the NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme aimed at ensuring safety, dignity, and formalization of sanitation workers. - The NAMASTE scheme focuses on eliminating hazardous manual cleaning, providing safety gear (PPE kits), and extending social security and health benefits like Ayushman cards to vulnerable sanitation workers. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **NAMASTE Scheme:** A Central Sector scheme jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to achieve 100% mechanization of sewer and septic tank cleaning and eliminate hazardous manual scavenging. - **Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:** The world's largest health insurance scheme providing health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to poor and vulnerable families. - **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** The nodal central ministry responsible for formulating and implementing policies, laws, and welfare schemes for the upliftment and social protection of marginalized groups, including Safai Mitras and persons with disabilities. - **Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs:** The central ministry responsible for formulating policies, overseeing urban development programs, and driving urban sanitation initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission and mechanization of urban cleaning operations.