SMILE-75 Initiative – Because the Indian government is aware that the issue of poverty and beggary will not go away, they have created a comprehensive program called SMILE specifically for those who beg. As part of the festivities honoring the country’s 75th anniversary of independence, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched on Friday the “SMILE-75” initiative, which aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to people who make a living by begging in 75 different municipalities. In the next piece, we are going to find out why the Smile initiative is being introduced, as well as who exactly will benefit from this program.
What is SMILE-75 Initiative
“Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” is what SMILE stands for. The government of India has acknowledged the ongoing issue of poverty and beggary, and as a result, it has developed a comprehensive program called SMILE. Within this program is a subprogram called comprehensive rehabilitation for people who engage in begging. This sub-program includes provisions for identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development for a decent job, and self-employment or starting a business.
Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, has designated 75 municipal corporations to pursue the thorough rehabilitation of beggars under the SMILE-75 Initiative. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has allotted a budget of 100 crore rupees for the SMILE initiative for the next five years through 2025-26.
Through this program, the Ministry intends to build a support framework for the comprehensive rehabilitation of people who beg. As is already evident, begging is gaining popularity in India, and numerous unlawful acts have occurred as a result.
Through this initiative, the government is creating an India in which no one is obliged to beg to live and meet their fundamental requirements. In addition, rehabilitation feasibility projects have been begun in eleven cities, in India
SMILE-75 Initiative Details in Overview
| Scheme name | SMILE-75 |
| Launched in year | 2023 |
| Objective | Rehabilitation of Beggars |
| Beneficiaries | Beggars and transgenders |
| Website | Coming soon |
SMILE-75 Initiative Objectives
- The purpose of the SMILE-75 initiative is to rid our cities, towns, and municipal regions of beginnings.
- Then devise a plan for the beggar’s thorough rehabilitation of those who participate in the activity of begging via the coordinated efforts of a number of different private partners.
- The Ministry recognizes the significant contribution that can be made by local urban bodies, civil organizations or private organizations, and others working together to find a solution to an ongoing social problem.
SMILE-75 Initiative Benefits and Key Points
- Numerous social assistance measures for beggars will be covered by 75 municipal corporations, NGOs, and other partners, including rehabilitation, medical facilities, counseling, awareness, education, skill development, economic links, and convergence with other government welfare programs.
- Through this effort, the ministry aims to construct an India where no one is compelled to beg to exist and meet basic necessities.
- This all-encompassing strategy includes welfare measures for both transgender individuals and others.
- In addition, this scheme targets beggars by emphasizing rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages, etc., with the assistance of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies, voluntary organizations, or Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and institutions, etc.
- It enables transgender students to continue their education by awarding scholarships to them beginning in ninth grade and continuing all the way through post-graduation.
- This SMILE sub-scheme includes provisions for the development of skills and for sustaining livelihoods under the PM-DAKSH program . It does this by offering, via Composite Medical Health, a complete package that, in conjunction with the PM-JAY scheme, supports gender-reaffirmation procedures carried out at a number of different facilities.
- People who engage in the practice of begging and members of the transgender community have access to a housing facility known as “Garima Greh,” which provides them with access to food, clothing, recreational facilities, opportunities to develop their skills, recreational activities, and medical support, among other things.
- Under this scheme, each state will have a Transgender Protection Cell to monitor instances, investigate, and prosecute crimes.
- Under this plan, it will cover and concentrate on beggars by providing them with shelters, identification, mobilization; rescuing, and mobilizing them, and it will be a comprehensive rehabilitation program for them.
SMILE-75 Initiative Official Website
The website has not yet been released; once it is, we will notify you.