Context: Recently, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment has launched the SMILE Scheme.
Key Points

• SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. 
• Type: It is a Central Sector Scheme.

Aim: To provide welfare and rehabilitation to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.

• The new umbrella scheme aims to provide welfare measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. 
• The scheme will give the necessary legal protection, social security and a promise to a secured life to the targeted group. 
• The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 crore for the scheme for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The SMILE scheme comprises two sub-schemes. These are:
‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’.

• Scholarships for Transgender Students: Scholarships for students studying in IX and till post-graduation to enable them to complete their education.
• Skill Development and Livelihood: Skill Development and Livelihood under PM-DAKSH scheme of the Department.
• Composite Medical Health: A comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals.
• Housing in the form of ‘GarimaGreh’: Shelter Homes ‘Garima Greh’ where food, clothing, recreational facilities, skill development opportunities, recreational activities, medical support etc. will be provided.
• Provision of Transgender Protection Cell: Setting up of Transgender Protection in each state to monitor cases of offences and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences.
• E-Services (National Portal & Helpline and Advertisement) and other Welfare Measures.

‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of engaged in the act of Begging’.

• Survey and identification: Survey and Identification of beneficiaries shall be carried out by the Implementing Agencies.
• Mobilisation: Outreach work will be done to mobilise the persons engaged in begging to avail the services available in the Shelter Homes.
• Rescue/ Shelter Home: The shelter homes will facilitate education for children engaged in the act of Begging and children of persons engaged in the act of Begging.
• Comprehensive resettlement.

By: Shubham Tiwari