India, Feb. 11 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme, which includes the sub-scheme "Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging", aimed at achieving the objective of Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat (Begging-Free India) through comprehensive rehabilitation measures.
The SMILE Beggary sub-scheme is currently operational in 181 selected cities across the country. As on 31 January 2026, a total of 30,257 individuals have been identified as engaged in the act of begging, and 8,129 individuals have been rehabilitated in different cities.
With regard to transgender welf...