pib releases 13-08-2022

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB)

Paper	Topics	Subject
GS-II	SMILE-75 Initiative	Government policies and interventions

GS-II : Government policies and interventions

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SMILE-75 Initiative

To address the enduring issue of destitution and beggary, the Government of India has developed the comprehensive SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme.

As part of the "SMILE-75" Initiative, 75 Municipal Corporations (MC) will provide thorough rehabilitation for beggars in the spirit of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

MCs will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging.

About the SMILE 75-Initiative

Aim:

Municipal Corporations will provide a range of comprehensive welfare measures for people who are involved in begging in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, medical facility, provision-counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic ties, and convergence with other Government welfare programs, among other things.
The SMILE project would have a total budget of Rs. 100 crore from now till 2025–2026 from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
It aims to create a system of support for the comprehensive rehabilitation of beggars.

Implementing Ministry:

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The sub-scheme of: Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging is one of its components.

Objectives:

to eradicate begging from municipal and urban areas.
to develop a plan involving the coordinated work of many stakeholders for the thorough rehabilitation of those who engage in the act of begging

What is the status of Beggars in India?

According to the Census 2011, there are 4,13,670 beggars in India overall (including 2,21,673 men and 1,91,997 women), a rise from the previous count.
Uttar Pradesh comes in first on the list, followed by West Bengal at number two and Bihar at number three. According to the 2011 census, there are only two vagrants living in Lakshadweep.
There were 2,187 beggars in New Delhi, the most of any union territory, followed by 121 in Chandigarh.
Assam led the list of northeastern states with 22,116 beggars, while Mizoram came in last with 53