The Indian government’s latest initiative to fight the problem of destitution and begging in the country is named the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme. This comprehensive program aims at rehabilitating people engaged in begging, with a particular focus on 75 municipal corporations as part of the “SMILE-75” Initiative, inspired by Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The SMILE-75 Initiative: Objectives and Strategies
The goal of the SMILE-75 Initiative is to involve municipal corporations, along with NGOs and other stakeholders, in rehabilitating those who resort to begging. The initiative lays out a plethora of welfare measures, including rehabilitation, access to medical facilities, counseling support, education, skill development, and economic opportunities. It also emphasizes collaboration with other government welfare programs.
A key objective is turning cities, towns, and municipal areas into begging-free zones. This is to be accomplished through a thoughtful strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation, demanding the coordinated action of various stakeholders.
Funding and Implementation of the SMILE Scheme
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment shoulders the responsibility of implementing the SMILE scheme. Recognizing its significance, the ministry has allocated a budget of Rs.100 crore for this project, which will be utilized over the coming years until 2025-26.
One of the critical components of the SMILE scheme is the sub-scheme titled ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.’ Through this, the government hopes to develop a robust support mechanism for holistic rehabilitation of those engaged in begging.
Current Status of Beggars in India
As per the data from Census 2011, India is home to a staggering 4,13,670 beggars, including 2,21,673 males and 1,91,997 females. Unfortunately, this number has seen an increase since the last census.
West Bengal has the dubious distinction of topping the chart, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. On a more positive note, Lakshadweep reported only two vagrants as per the 2011 census.
In terms of union territories, New Delhi stands at the top with 2,187 beggars, followed by Chandigarh with 121. Among the northeastern states, Assam reported the highest number of beggars at 22,116, whereas Mizoram had the lowest with 53 beggars.
By working on robust strategies through SMILE and its sub-schemes, the government aims to decrease these statistics, ensuring a better life for those currently engaged in begging. The complexity of the task means that collaborative efforts and a systematic approach are the need of the hour.
