SMILE-Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise

Context

Recently, Rs 265 crore allotted for rehabilitation, welfare of transgender.

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.