July 21, 2026 10:57 AM
SMILE Scheme Rehabilitates Over 10,200 Persons Engaged in Begging Across 216 Cities
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is strengthening efforts to rehabilitate persons engaged in begging through the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme, with the initiative currently operational in 216 cities across the country. According to a senior ministry official, the SMILE Beggary Scheme aims to cover 295 cities by the financial year 2030-31, with a special focus on metropolitan centres as well as religious, tourist and historical d...