New Delhi: The Centre has intensified its efforts to achieve a ‘Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat’ (Begging-Free India) under the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme, with more than 10,200 persons engaged in begging rehabilitated so far.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said the SMILE Beggary Scheme is currently operational in 216 cities across the country and will be expanded to 295 cities over the next five years, up to FY 2030-31.
According to the ministry, the scheme has set a target of rehabilitating 35,000 persons by 2030-31, with a special focus on metropolitan cities, religious centres, tourist destinations and historical towns. The remaining beneficiaries will be covered in a phased manner under the approved implementation plan.
The programme provides comprehensive rehabilitation through skill development, education, healthcare, counselling and livelihood support, with the objective of helping persons engaged in begging reintegrate into mainstream society with dignity and sustainable employment opportunities.
The government said the scheme follows a convergence-based approach, bringing together the Centre, state governments, Union Territories, district administrations, urban local bodies, municipal corporations and implementing agencies for the identification, rescue, rehabilitation and social reintegration of beneficiaries.
To improve transparency and monitoring, the ministry has also launched the SMILE-Beggary National Portal, which enables digital registration, tracking and monitoring of rehabilitation centres and shelter homes. The platform is supported by revised operational guidelines and capacity-building initiatives for implementing agencies across states and Union Territories.
The ministry said it will continue to strengthen awareness campaigns, institutional support and community participation to ensure long-term social and economic empowerment of beneficiaries.
