Centre formulates scheme for welfare of those engaged in the act of begging
The scheme called Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) covers welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging, and makes certain provisions for them.
NEW DELHI:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme covering comprehensive measures for the welfare of beggars in India.
The scheme called Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) covers welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging, and makes certain provisions for them.
SMILE will extensively focus on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, basic documentation, education, skill development, economic linkages and so on among those engaged in begging, read a notification from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the scheme would be implemented with the support of States/UTs Governments/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), institutions and others.
The scheme also provides for the use of the existing shelter homes available with the State/UT Governments and Urban local bodies for rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging, the notification from the government stated.
In this regard, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also initiated pilot projects on comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of begging in ten cities namely-Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmadabad.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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