Department of Social Justice & Empowerment launched the SMILE Scheme

Highlights:

• Department of Social Justice & Empowerment launched the “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” scheme on February 12, 2022, in New Delhi.
• Components of ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’
• Components of ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’

• SMILE is a Central Sector scheme, dubbed as Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. 
• It was launched by Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment. 
• The scheme has been designed for providing welfare measures to Transgender community and people engaged in begging.

• The scheme comprises of two sub-schemes namely,
• Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons.
• Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.
• Objectives:
• The scheme seeks to strengthens and expands the reach of Rights that give necessary legal protection and secured life to targeted group. 
• It keeps in mind the social security required through multiple dimensions of identity, education, medical care, shelter, and occupational opportunities.
• Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme for the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Components of ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’
• Scholarships for Transgender Students studying in IX and till post-graduation to complete their education.
• Skill Development and Livelihood under PM-DAKSH scheme
• Composite Medical Health package in convergence with PM-JAY to support Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals
• Shelter Homes ‘Garima Greh’, where all the basis facilities (food, clothing, medical support) recreational facilities and skill development opportunities, will be provided.
• Transgender Protection Cell will be set up in each state for monitoring cases of offences and ensuring timely registration, investigation and prosecution.
• Components of ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’
• Survey and Identification of beneficiaries by Implementing Agencies.
• Outreach work will be done for mobilising the persons engaged in begging to avail services available in Shelter Homes.
• Shelter homes will facilitate education for children engaged in the act of Begging.