Smiles On Faces Of The Marginalised

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched an umbrella scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” on 12.02.2022, which includes two sub-schemes - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’. This umbrella scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of begging with focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages etc with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and institutions and others.

The SMILE scheme is an umbrella scheme. The larger scheme includes the ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging’. These two schemes provide comprehensive welfare and rehabilitation measures to the transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. Overall objective of the sub-scheme is to make the country BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging through coordinated action and convergence with various stakeholders such as Central and State/UT Governments, District Administration, Urban Local Bodies/Municipal Corporations and other stakeholders working in the field and public at large so as to ensure the beggars reintegration in the mainstream society to lead a life with dignity and self confidence.

The scheme has been formulated keeping in mind the social security that is needed through multiple dimensions of identity, medical care, education, occupational opportunities and shelter. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The scheme provides Scholarships for Transgender Students studying in IX and till post-graduation to enable them to complete their education. It has provisions for Skill Development and Livelihood under PM-DAKSH scheme (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana- National Action Plan designed to skill marginalized communities). Composite Medical Health provides a comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals. The Provision of Transgender Protection Cell in each state monitors cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences. The National Portal & Helpline provides necessary information and solutions to the transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging when needed.

In 2021, shelter homes named Garima Greh were piloted for transgender persons and provided financial assistance to community based organizations (CBOs) for setting up of these shelter homes. The main aim of Garima Greh is to provide shelter to transgender persons with basic amenities like food, medical care, and recreational facilities. It also provides support for the capacity-building/skill development of transgender persons. As of April 1, 2025, INR 6.8 crore has been released and utlized by Garima Grehs.

The scheme is aimed at comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.

The objective is to create a ‘Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat’ (Begging-free India) by ensuring the reintegration of beggars into mainstream society. The major components of the scheme are area-specific surveys, awareness campaigns, mobilization, and rescue operations, access to shelter-homes and basic services and skills training, alternative livelihood options, and formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The scheme is active in 81 cities/towns, including pilgrimage, historical, and tourist places, as of December 2024. The next phase will expand to 50 more cities. Progress so far: Identified persons engaged in begging: 9,958; Rehabilitated individuals: 970

On April 25, 2025, the Delhi government issued an ‘Expression of Interest’ inviting applications from eligible NGOs/voluntary organizations for implementation of the SMILE scheme. The target areas included are Karol Bagh, Dwarka, Munirka/Vasant Vihar, RK Puram, Nizammudin, Rohini, Shahdara, Old Delhi and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. The SMILE scheme reflects a significant step toward inclusive development by addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by transgender persons and individuals engaged in the act of begging. Through dedicated financial allocations, structured rehabilitation programs, skill development initiatives, and targeted outreach in vulnerable urban zones, the scheme seeks to ensure dignity, security, and opportunity for some of the most marginalized communities in India. The phased rollout, data-backed implementation, and collaborative approach with NGOs and voluntary organizations underline the government’s commitment to building a more equitable and compassionate society. (PIB)