Implementation of the SMILE Scheme: Progress and Updates
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively implementing the SMILE sub-scheme, aimed at rehabilitating individuals engaged in begging. As of March 2026, over 31,000 individuals have been identified, with close to 10,000 successfully rehabilitated. Supported by a third-party evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, strategic adjustments have been made to enhance the scheme's reach and efficiency for the upcoming financial cycle.
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