The Indian government understands that poverty and begging are serious problems that wont disappear quickly. To support people who beg to make a living, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment started the SMILE-75 scheme. This program focuses on helping beggars and transgender people in 75 different cities. Lets find out how SMILE-75 works and who can benefit from it.
Overview of the SMILE-75 Scheme
SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. This program was started by the Indian government to help beggars by giving them support and opportunities for a better life. The scheme provides identification, medical help, counseling, education, skill training, and choices for jobs or business.
The Ministry has selected 75 municipal corporations to carry out the rehab work under the SMILE-75 scheme for beggars and has allocated a budget of 100 crore rupees for the next five years until 2025-26.
With SMILE-75, the government aims to create a system where no one has to beg to meet their basic needs. Begging is becoming common in India and sometimes leads to illegal activities. This scheme is a way to bring positive change. Pilot rehab projects are already running in 11 cities.
SMILE-75 Scheme Summary
| Scheme Name | SMILE-75 |
| Launch Year | 2024 |
| Goal | Rehabilitation of Beggars and Transgenders |
| Who Can Benefit | Beggars and Transgender Individuals |
| Website | Coming soon |
Goals of SMILE-75 Scheme
- End begging in cities and towns.
- Work with private partners for full rehab of beggars.
- Involve local bodies, NGOs, and organizations to solve this social issue together.
Main Features and Benefits of SMILE-75
- 75 municipal bodies, NGOs, and partners will offer many services like rehab, medical care, counseling, education, skill training, economic support, and connections with other government welfare plans.
- The scheme focuses on building an India where no one needs to beg to meet their basic needs.
- Both transgender people and beggars receive help through this scheme.
- It offers rehab, medical care, counseling, education, skill growth, and economic connections with help from State Governments, local bodies, NGOs, and community groups.
- Transgender students can get scholarships from 9th grade up to post-graduation to continue their education.
- Skill development and livelihood support are available under the PM-DAKSH program.
- Medical care includes gender-reaffirmation treatment at various centers, supported by the PM-JAY scheme.
- Beggars and transgender individuals can stay at Garima Greh shelters, providing food, clothing, medical help, skill training, and recreational activities.
- Each state will have a Transgender Protection Cell to handle and act against crimes affecting transgender people.
- The program involves identifying, rescuing, and mobilizing beggars and providing them full rehab support including shelter and medical care.
Official Website of SMILE-75 Scheme
The official website is not available yet. We will share updates when it launches.