In news

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes a sub-scheme - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’.

About the Scheme

• The scheme provides for the use of the existing shelter homes available with the State/UT
  Governments and Urban local bodies for rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of Begging.
• In case of the non-availability of existing shelter homes, new dedicated shelter homes are to be set up by the implementing agencies.
• It is a new Scheme after the merger of existing Schemes for Beggars and Transgenders.
• The scheme is to be implemented on a pan-India basis. It will be implemented with the support of State/UT Governments/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), institutions and others.
• Currently, the pilot project is ongoing in 7 cities namely Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Nagpur and Patna.

Focus Areas:

The focus of the scheme is extensively on: Rehabilitation, Provision of medical facilities, Counselling, Basic documentation, Education, Skill development, Economic linkages.