SMILE-75 Initiative (UPSC Current Affairs)

Relevance: GS2 - Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States

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Recently, the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched SMILE-75 initiative to address the persisting problem of destitution and beggary. It was launched as part of the comprehensive scheme- SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise).

What is the SMILE-75 initiative?

• Under this initiative, 75 identified municipal corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will undertake comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging.
• It 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.

What is SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme?

• It is a Central Sector scheme to provide welfare and holistic rehabilitation of Transgender community and people engaged in the act of begging.
• It aims to build an India where no person is forced to beg in order to survive and fulfil their basic needs.
• Implementing Ministry: Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Budget Allocated: It is implemented from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with budgetary allocation of Rs.100 crore.
• Implementation: It is executed with the help of the respective State/UT governments, Local Urban Bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Voluntary Organisations,Institutions, and others

Two sub-schemes of SMILE scheme are

• Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging: It will focus on survey and identification, mobilisation, rescue/ shelter home and comprehensive resettlement.

Objectives:

(i) To make cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free.

(ii) To make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.

Under this component, pilot projects have been launched on comprehensive rehabilitation in ten cities- Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad.

• Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons

Objectives:

(i) To strengthen and expand the reach of the rights that gives the targeted group the necessary legal protection and a promise to a secured life.

(ii) Provide social security through multiple dimensions of identity, medical care, education, occupational opportunities and shelter.

Components:

(i) Scholarships for transgender students from Class IX till post-graduation to enable them to complete their education.

(ii) Skill development and livelihood under the PM-DAKSH scheme.

(iii) Composite Medical Health package in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)- to support gender-reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals.

(iv) Housing facility in the form of ‘Garima Greh’ to ensure food, clothing, recreational facilities, skill development opportunities and medical support.

(v) Transgender Protection Cell in each state to monitor cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences.

(vi) National Portal & Helpline to provide necessary information and solutions to the transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging when needed.

What is the status of beggars in India?

• According to the Census 2011, there are 4,13,670 beggars (including 2,21,673 males and 1,91,997 females) in India.
• Among large states, West Bengal had the highest number of beggars followed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• Among the union territories, New Delhi with 2,187 had the largest number of beggars followed by Chandigarh (121). Lakshadweep merely has two beggars.
• Among the northeastern states, Assam topped with 22,116 beggars. Mizoram ranked lowest with 53 beggars.