Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launches “SMILE-75 Initiative”

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launches SMILE-75 Initiative” published in PIB on 10th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the “SMILE-75 Initiative”.

What is the SMILE-75 Initiative?

Launched by: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment under the SMILE: Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise Scheme.

Aim: To make cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.

Under the initiative, seventy-five (75) Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging.

These measures will focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes etc.