News: The central government has launched a 15-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme under the SMILE scheme to help transgender persons become self-reliant by providing economic empowerment.
About SMILE Scheme
- The Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
- It functions as an umbrella programme that brings together two distinct sub-schemes:
- Comprehensive Rehabilitation for the Welfare of Transgender Persons
- Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging
Together, these aim to provide holistic welfare and rehabilitation measures for both transgender individuals and those dependent on begging.
Key Features
- Educational support: Scholarships are offered to transgender students from Class IX up to post-graduation, ensuring they can pursue and complete their studies.
- Skill and livelihood development: Training opportunities are provided under the PM-DAKSH scheme to strengthen employability and self-reliance.
- Medical assistance: The scheme integrates with PM-JAY to provide a composite health package. This includes support for gender-reaffirmation surgeries at designated hospitals.
- Shelter and care: Under the initiative of ‘Garima Greh’, beneficiaries are provided food, clothing, medical support, skill training, and recreational facilities, ensuring dignity and social inclusion.
- Legal and protection measures: Every state will establish a Transgender Protection Cell to track offences, ensure proper investigation, and facilitate timely prosecution.
- Information and accessibility: A National Portal and Helpline has been set up to deliver information, guidance, and redressal services for transgender persons and those engaged in begging
