Cabinet extended tenure of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis(NCSK) for three years

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NCSk was first established as a statutory commission in 1994 by the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.

However, with lapsing of the act in 2004, the commission is acting as a Non-Statutory body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment(MoSJE).
Its tenure is extended from time to time through Government Resolutions.

Mandate of NCSK

Recommend central government for programmes towards elimination of inequalities in status of Safai Karmacharis etc.
Evaluate the schemes implemented for socio-economic rehabilitation of sanitation workers.
Under Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, NCSk monitors the implementation; enquires into complaints related to contravention; advise the government for effective implementation; and take suo-motu notice for non-implementation of any provisions of the act.
Others: Monitor the working conditions (health safety & wages); make reports to governments on any issue concerning the sanitation workers etc.

Hazardous working conditions which lead to skin & respiratory problems such as eczema, scaly dermatitis etc;
Social stigma as many workers primarily hail from marginalized communities face systemic exclusion and lack of social security net.

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme: A joint initiative by MoSJE & Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
- It aims to prevent hazardous cleaning & promote safe cleaning practices through trained and certified sanitation workers.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 guidelines, MoHUA focuses on the welfare of sanitation workers urging Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to promote their occupational safety.