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SUPPORT FOR MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS FOR LIVELIHOOD AND ENTERPRISE (SMILE) SCHEME

Why in the News?

  • Scheme Update: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provided status update on implementation of the SMILE Scheme and its rehabilitation outcomes, drawing parallels with environmental clearance processes.
  • Data Disclosure: Government reported identification and rehabilitation figures under the Beggary sub-scheme and status of Garima Grehs for transgender welfare, highlighting the need for a holistic approach similar to environmental impact assessments.

SMILE SCHEME AND BEGGARY REHABILITATION

  • Scheme Objective: The SMILE Scheme aims at comprehensive rehabilitation of marginalized individuals, targeting the vision of Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat, while also considering environmental jurisprudence principles.
  • Operational Coverage: The Beggary sub-scheme is operational in 181 selected cities, indicating focused urban intervention strategy, reminiscent of Coastal Regulation Zone management approaches.
  • Identification Data: As of January 2026, 30,257 individuals engaged in begging have been identified through coordinated outreach and surveys, employing methods akin to environmental impact assessments.
  • Rehabilitation Progress: Out of identified individuals, 8,129 persons have been rehabilitated, reflecting partial but structured progress in social reintegration, with considerations similar to ex post facto environmental clearances.
  • Digital Monitoring: Rehabilitation centres and shelter homes are tracked through the SMILE-Beggary National Portal, ensuring digital transparency and administrative oversight, mirroring environmental democracy principles.

TRANSGENDER WELFARE UNDER SMILE

  • Garima Grehs: The scheme supports 23 Garima Grehs across 17 States/UTs, providing shelter, food, medical care, and skill development, with an approach that considers the polluter pays principle in environmental contexts.
  • Recent Expansion: During 2025–26, six new Garima Grehs were approved and operationalised, indicating incremental institutional expansion, similar to phased implementation of environmental clearances.
  • Geotagging Mechanism: All SMILE-funded facilities have been geotagged, strengthening accountability, transparency, and monitoring efficiency, akin to environmental monitoring under the Forest Conservation Act.
  • Policy Gap: No roadmap currently exists to establish at least one Garima Greh in every State capital, indicating limited long-term expansion planning, reminiscent of challenges in retrospective environmental clearances.
  • Skill Linkage Gap: No beneficiaries from begging or transgender communities were certified under PM-DAKSH in 2024–25, highlighting integration challenges, similar to those faced in implementing the precautionary principle in environmental management.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WELFARE SCHEMES
● Constitutional Basis: Welfare initiatives derive legitimacy from Directive Principles of State Policy, promoting social and economic justice, paralleling the right to a pollution-free environment.
● Targeted Intervention: Schemes like SMILE focus on vulnerable groups including persons engaged in begging and transgender individuals, similar to targeted environmental protection measures.
● Rights Framework: Transgender welfare aligns with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, echoing principles of environmental jurisprudence.
● Rehabilitation Approach: Social reintegration requires convergence of shelter, skill development, healthcare, and livelihood support mechanisms, comparable to comprehensive environmental management strategies.
● UPSC Relevance: The topic connects with GS Paper II, covering social justice, vulnerable sections, and welfare policy implementation, with implications for environmental governance.