MoSJ&E Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar launched ‘SMILE-75 Initiative’On August 12, 2022, the Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) launched a ‘SMILE-75 Initiative’ at a Shelter Home (Rain Basera) near Nizammudin Metro Station in New Delhi (Delhi), as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
- SMILE is an acronym for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
- Under this initiative, the Central Government has identified 75 Municipal Corporations to implement comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging.
About SMILE-75 Initiative:
The MOSJ&E has allocated a total budget of Rs 100 crore for the SMILE project till 2025-26. It envisions developing a support mechanism for holistic rehabilitation of those engaged in the act of begging and to make sure that no person is forced to beg in order to survive and fulfil their basic needs.
Objective:
To make cities/town and municipal areas begging-free
How will this project be implemented?
This project includes a sub-scheme of comprehensive rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging which covers identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, and education, skill development for decent job, self-employment / entrepreneurship, and convergence with other Government welfare programs etc.
- The selected 75 Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization) and other stakeholders will implement this.
Participants:
The identified 75 Municipal Corporations, experts from the field of beggary and eminent NGOs participated in this nationwide launch through online and offline mode
Wednesday, August 17, 2022