India’s SMILE Scheme Aims for Begging-Free Future

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is making significant strides with its **Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE)** Scheme, an initiative aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities by providing social and economic rehabilitation. This comprehensive program includes the **Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging**, which focuses on transforming lives through rehabilitation, skill development, education, healthcare, counselling, and economic empowerment.

A senior official from the Ministry announced that the **SMILE Beggary Scheme** is currently active in 216 cities across India, with ambitious plans to expand its reach to 295 cities by the fiscal year 2030-31. This expansion will particularly emphasize metropolitan areas, as well as religious, touristic, and historical sites. The official noted that the scheme has set a rehabilitation target of 35,000 individuals, with over 10,200 people successfully reintegrated into society thus far. The remaining targets will be achieved gradually by the end of FY 2030-31 according to the approved plan.