REHABILITATION OF BEGGARS
REHABILITATION OF BEGGARS
The inception of the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) sub-scheme “Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging” that is 23.10.2023, a total of 31,055 persons have been identified as engaged in the act of begging, out of which 9,855 persons have been rescued and rehabilitated under the sub-scheme, which includes 2,480 children. The State/UT-wise details are placed at Annexure-I.
The SMILE sub-scheme is implemented through the Implementing Authorities (IAs) namely District Administration/ Urban Local Bodies/ Municipal Corporations and other agencies working in the field of beggary prevention. As per the sub-scheme guidelines, the Implementing Authority appoints/ selects the Implementing Agency/Non-Government Organisation (NGO) through a prescribed selection process. Since the scheme is being implemented through IAs, requests for rehabilitation are not received in the Ministry as all rescued persons are provided comprehensive rehabilitation as per their willingness/interest and in line with different provisions of the scheme guidelines.
Under the SMILE sub-scheme, beneficiaries are provided skill development and livelihood opportunities through a convergence approach with various Central and State Government programmes. All eligible persons have been provided skill training based on local demand and aptitude in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation work, e-rickshaw driving and other vocational activities. Formation of community / Self Help Groups (SHGs) and establishing linkages with banks for financial assistance for income generation activities are also supported under the sub-scheme. Details are placed in Annexure-I.
Under the sub-scheme, identification of beneficiaries, providing shelter, counselling and skill development / vocational training are linked to appropriate welfare and livelihood schemes through convergence with other Central and State Government programmes. Hence, data for current employability or livelihood status of rehabilitated beneficiaries are not maintained in the department.
Further, in order to ensure effective rehabilitation, sustainable livelihood, and prevention of relapse into begging; vocational training and skill development based on locally demanding wage employment/livelihoods are provided to facilitate employment or self-employment, and follow-up action is carried out for long-term reintegration and sustainable rehabilitation.
Annexure – I
State/UT-wise list of Survey/Identification and Rehabilitation
S. No.
States/UTs
Survey/
Identification Total
Rescue and Rehabilitation Total
Wage Employment
Self-employment
1
Andhra Pradesh
2569
653
400
50
2
Arunachal Pradesh
140
99
80
0
3
Assam
1840
605
116
263
4
Bihar
476
375
198
62
5
Chandigarh (UT)
499
352
198
20
6
Delhi NCT
3318
372
186
50
7
Gujarat
1141
453
195
75
8
Himachal Pradesh
27
1
1
0
9
J & K
1143
510
166
8
10
Karnataka
875
88
40
26
11
Kerala
674
178
93
20
12
Madhya Pradesh
1772
1291
357
208
13
Maharashtra
1601
1025
244
80
14
Manipur
64
0
0
0
15
Mizoram
16
0
0
0
16
Nagaland
107
22
22
0
17
Odisha
784
288
78
100
18
Puducherry
485
178
8
73
19
Punjab
128
6
6
0
20
Rajasthan
79
0
0
0
21
Tamil Nadu
9145
1590
357
298
22
Telangana
580
53
53
0
23
Uttar Pradesh
3592
1716
1223
223
Total
31055
9855
4021
1556
The total number of persons rehabilitated under the sub-scheme also includes children who have been re-associated with their families or produced before the Child Welfare Committees. It also includes persons rehabilitated through convergence with other Central and State Government schemes by linking to services such as Old Age Homes, De-addiction Centres, and other appropriate care and support institutions. All other persons receive vocational /Skill training and are facilitated to take some wage-employment or self-employment.
This information is given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.