Context

Recently, Rs 265 crore allotted for rehabilitation, welfare of transgender from the financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26.

About

About SMILE Scheme

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowermenthas formulated a scheme “SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”.
• SMILE includes two sub-schemes –
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging
• Financial allocation of Rs 100 croresfor the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 for the scheme.
• This scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging.
• The focus of the scheme is extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, basic documentation, education, skill development, economic linkages and so on.
• The scheme would be implemented with the support of State/UT Governments/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), institutions and others.
• 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 non-availability of existing shelter homes, new dedicated shelter homes are to be set up by the implementing agencies.

Status of Beggars in India:

• According to the Census 2011, total number of beggars in India is 4,13,670 (including 2,21,673 males and 1,91,997 females) and the number has increased from the last census.
• West Bengal tops the chart followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at number two and three respectively. Lakshadweep merely has two vagrants according to the 2011 census.
• Among the union territories, New Delhi had the largest number of beggars 2,187 followed by 121 in Chandigarh.
• Among the north-eastern states, Assam topped the chart with 22,116 beggars, while Mizoram ranked low with 53 beggars.
• Recently, the Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea for decriminalising begging which has been made an offence in various states under Prevention of Begging Act.