What’s in the news?

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the ‘SMILE-75’ initiative for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging in 75 identified municipalities as a part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence.
• The initiative is part of the Ministry’s ongoing SMILE project (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) for which ₹100 crore has been allocated till 2025-2026. This includes a sub-scheme – “comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging’.
• According to the 2011 Census, the total population of persons engaged in the act of Begging and vagrants is about 4.13 lakh. Most of them struggle to gain access to basic needs of food, shelter and clothing, which drives them into a loop of poverty.
• Under the SMILE-75 initiative, 75 municipal corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging with focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other government welfare programmes etc.
• The roadmap involves carrying out surveys and identifying those found begging and steering outreach work to mobilize the persons and setting up “adhikar grehs” (shelter homes) near areas where people engage in begging and connect them to education, skilling and employment possibilities.

Reference:

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-launches-rehab-plan-for-beggars-from-75-municipal-areas-across-states/articleshow/93528980.cms