Scheme Overview
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Full Name: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE).
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Launched: 2022.
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Ministry: Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
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Purpose: Address socio-economic vulnerabilities of marginalized groups, with a focus on beggary eradication and transgender empowerment.
Key Components
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Sub-scheme for Beggary:
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Objective: Identify, profile, and rehabilitate individuals engaged in begging with their consent.
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Target: Rehabilitate 8,000 individuals from FY 2023–24 to FY 2025–26.
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Focus Areas: Make religious, tourist, and historical urban spaces “beggary-free”.
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Transgender Empowerment:
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Includes welfare measures like scholarships, skill development, and healthcare access.
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Implementation Strategy
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Phased Approach:
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Phase 1 (2022): Covered 30 cities (e.g., Ayodhya, Delhi, Kolkata).
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Phase 2: Expanded to 50 additional cities in the second year.
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Cities Covered: 81 major urban centers as of December 2024.
Key Data (as of December 31, 2024)
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Identified Individuals: 9,958 engaged in begging.
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Rehabilitated: 970 individuals (including 352 children).
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Census 2011: 3.72 lakh beggars nationwide.
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Socio-Economic & Caste Census 2011: 6.62 lakh rural households reliant on begging.
Challenges & Discrepancies
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Urban-Rural Divide: Scheme targets urban areas, while Census data includes rural beggars.
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Low Rehabilitation Rate: Only ~10% of identified individuals rehabilitated.
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Consent-Based Approach: Voluntary participation may limit numbers but aligns with human rights principles.
Significance
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Holistic Approach: Combines immediate relief (rehabilitation) with long-term solutions (livelihood support).
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Inclusivity: Focuses on marginalized groups like transgender persons and beggars.
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Scalability: Expansion to 80+ cities reflects a structured rollout.
Way Forward
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Expand Rural Coverage: Address rural begging through targeted interventions.
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Strengthen Rehabilitation Infrastructure: Increase shelter homes and skill-training centers.
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Awareness Campaigns: Reduce stigma and encourage community participation.
Conclusion
While the SMILE Scheme has made progress in profiling urban beggars, its reach remains limited compared to the scale of the issue. Bridging urban-rural gaps, enhancing rehabilitation mechanisms, and ensuring stakeholder collaboration will be critical for achieving its objectives. The scheme’s emphasis on consent and dignity marks a progressive shift in India’s social welfare approach.
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