SMILE Scheme Strengthens India's Commitment Towards a ‘Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat’ Through Comprehensive Rehabilitation

Key Highlights:

• The SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It includes a Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging.
• The scheme aims to achieve a "Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat" (Begging-Free India) through rehabilitation, skill development, and economic empowerment.
• Currently operational in 216 cities, it targets covering 295 cities by Financial Year 2030-31, focusing on metropolitan and tourist areas.
• The scheme aims to rehabilitate 35,000 persons, with over 10,200 already rehabilitated.
• Digital monitoring and tracking are facilitated through the SMILE-Beggary National Portal.

Detailed Insights:

• The scheme provides comprehensive support including education, healthcare, counselling, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities.
• It adopts a convergence-based approach, involving Central, State, and local bodies for identification, rescue, and reintegration into mainstream society.
• The focus on metropolitan, religious, tourist, and historical places addresses areas with higher concentrations of persons engaged in begging.
• The substantial rehabilitation target reflects a significant commitment to the social and economic upliftment of marginalized individuals.
• Digital monitoring via the SMILE-Beggary National Portal ensures transparency and effective implementation across rehabilitation centres and shelter homes.
• Capacity-building initiatives and revised operational guidelines support implementing agencies across States and Union Territories.

Key Concepts Involved:

• SMILE Scheme: An umbrella scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the social and economic rehabilitation of marginalized individuals.
• Central Sector Scheme: A scheme fully funded by the Central Government and implemented by the Central Government machinery.
• Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat: A vision for an India free from the act of begging, achieved through comprehensive rehabilitation efforts.
• Convergence-based approach: A strategy involving multiple government departments and agencies working together to achieve a common goal.