The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a National level umbrella scheme namely “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes two sub-schemes - ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’. This umbrella scheme would cover several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of begging with focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages etc with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and institutions and others.
SMILE scheme is aimed to create an inclusive society wherein transgender persons & persons involved in the act of beggary live a life of dignity and respect. The scheme ropes in the support of state Governments/UTs/Local urban bodies, voluntary organizations, community based organizations (CBOs) and institutions and others so that they can work together in a coordinated manner for the welfare of this marginalized section.
SMILE scheme which is being implemented across the country would cover several targeted welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of beggary with an emphasis on comprehensive rehabilitation that includes provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages etc.
The SMILE Scheme, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, aims to mainstream transgender persons by addressing their unique psycho-social, socio-economic, and health issues. Through holistic development and stakeholder collaboration, we strive to build an inclusive society and safeguard their rights, paving the way for social justice and empowerment.
Through SMILE scheme, the Ministry aims to eradicate the differential treatment prevelant in the society towards transgender persons and persons involved in the act of beggary. The welfare measures have been tailor made keeping in view the varied needs of the community to achieve social justice & to ensure their rights are safeguarded.
The SMILE scheme intends to mainstream the transgender persons & persons involved in the act of beggary by creating an enabling environment for their holistic development. Keeping in view their psycho-social, socio-economic and health issues, it is paramount that the stakeholders converge their efforts to generate awareness among the masses to build an inclusive society.
