SMILE-75 Initiative

In Context

• Recently, the Government of India has formulated a comprehensive scheme of SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise).

SMILE-75 Initiative

• About:
  • Under the “SMILE-75 Initiative”, 75 identified Municipal Corporations, in the spirit of AzadikaAmritMahotsav, will undertake comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging.
  • MCs will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging .
• Aim:
  • The initiative aims to address the persisting problem of destitution and beggary.
• Ministry:
  • Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Objective:
  • Making our cities/town and municipal areas begging-free. 
  • Making a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders. 
  • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment understands the important role of Local Urban Bodies, Civil Society Organisations/Non-Government Organisations to address this persisting social issue with concerted efforts.

Beggary in India

• It is a problem associated with poverty and unemployment and is a social problem of great magnitude and grave concern in developing countries.
• Definitions:
  • The Bombay Act defines a “beggar” as anyone “having no visible means of subsistence, and wandering about or remaining in any public place in such condition or manner, as makes it likely that the person doing so exists by soliciting or receiving alms”.
  • “Begging” under the Act includes “soliciting or receiving alms in a public place, whether or not under any pretence of singing, dancing, fortune-telling, performing or offering any article for sale”.

Source: PIB