The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) organized a National Workshop, Training Programme, and Stakeholders Consultation in Indore on July 11, 2025, focusing on the SMILE sub-scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging (SMILE-B). The workshop aimed to strengthen the implementation of SMILE-B, with emphasis on rescue, primary rehabilitation, and livelihood convergence, with the goal of realizing a "Begging-Free India". Key participants included senior officers from central and state governments, representatives from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), NGOs, and experts.
The workshop included technical sessions covering rescue and rehabilitation, featuring success stories, skill development presentations by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and counseling methodology from the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD). A panel discussion with nodal officers from six states facilitated experience sharing, and ministry officials provided training on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices. Beneficiaries who had successfully transitioned out of begging also shared their experiences. Stakeholders, led by Additional Secretary DoSJE, discussed revised SMILE guidelines, cost norms, strategies for improved implementation, and the potential for extending the scheme beyond FY 2025-26.
Secretary DoSJE, Shri Amit Yadav, emphasized the government's commitment to the comprehensive rehabilitation of individuals engaged in begging, calling for unified action, capacity building, and data-driven implementation. Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Sonali Ponkshe Vayangankar, highlighted initiatives for inclusive rehabilitation and inter-departmental coordination. Additional Secretary, DoSJE, Ms. Caralyn K. Deshmukh, reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to inclusive and dignified social support.
The SMILE scheme ("Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise"), launched in October 2023, aims to achieve a "Begging-Free India" through coordinated efforts. As of July 2025, over 22,410 individuals had been identified, and 3,400 rehabilitated. Phase 3 of the scheme is poised to scale up, covering 100 cities across 34 States/UTs. The workshop brought together representatives from more than 23 States/UTs and 67 Districts, alongside the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, NISD, and senior Government of India officials.
Key Entities Referenced
SMILE Scheme: Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise, a scheme aimed at achieving a BeggingFree India.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Union Ministry organizing the National Workshop and responsible for the SMILE Scheme.
Shri Amit Yadav: Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, who delivered the keynote address.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh: The city and state where the National Workshop and Orientation Programme were held.
National Workshop: A key event focusing on the SMILE SubScheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging (SMILEB).
NSDC: National Skill Development Corporation, who gave presentation on Livelihood opportunitiesvia skill development.
NISD: National Institute of Social Defence, Resource person of NISD provided session on Counselling methodology
Madhya Pradesh: State government involved in initiatives towards inclusive rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DoSJE organized a National Workshop, Training
Programme and Stakeholder’s Consultation on
SMILE Scheme at Indore
Senior Officers from Centre and States, along with
representatives of Urban Local Bodies, NGOs,
Experts and Stakeholders, discussed Best Practices
and Strategies to realize the goal of a ‘Begging-Free
India’
Posted On: 11 JUL 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (M/o SJE) organized a National Workshop and
Orientation Programme today at Indore, focusing on the SMILE Sub-Scheme for Comprehensive
Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging (SMILE-B). The Inaugural Session was presided
over by Secretary (D/o SJE), Shri Amit Yadav, along with participation from senior dignitaries from the
Central and State Governments.
This one-day national workshop brought together State Nodal Officers, representatives from Urban Local
Bodies, NGOs, and members of the Expert Network for a focused dialogue on strengthening the
implementation of SMILE-B, with special emphasis on rescue, primary rehabilitation, and livelihood
convergence.
Highlights of the Workshop:
Technical Sessions covered various components of rescue and rehabilitation of persons engaged in
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the act of begging through real-life success stories and expert sessions of Livelihood opportunitiesvia skill development (NSDC presentation) and Counselling methodology by resource person of
NISD, including a panel discussion with nodal officers from 6 States, sharing field experiences and
the day programme was concluded with training on SOP and best practices by Ministry Officials.
Experience sharing by beneficiaries who have successfully transitioned out of begging and
(cid:108)
undergone rehabilitation.
Stakeholder Consultation: Stakeholders, led by Additional Secretary (D/o SJE), discussed
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revised SMILE guidelines, cost norms, and strategies for improved implementation and possible
extension beyond FY 2025–26.
Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, delivered the keynote
address at the One-day Workshop & Training Program on the SMILE-Beggary in Indore.
pic.twitter.com/6Ao70KK3Ni
— Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GOI (@MSJEGOI) July 11, 2025
In his keynote address, Shri Amit Yadav emphasized the Government’s unwavering commitment to the
comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of beggary and highlighted the need for unified
action, capacity building, and data-driven implementation for impactful outcomes.
Ms. Sonali Ponkshe Vayangankar, Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment of Persons
with Disabilities Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, addressed the gathering at the One-
day Workshop & Training Program on the SMILE-Beggary. pic.twitter.com/jqkroCvMiU
— Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GOI (@MSJEGOI) July 11, 2025
Ms. Sonali Ponkshe Vayangankar, Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities Department (MP) highlighted the initiatives towards inclusive rehabilitation and also stressed the
significance of interdepartmental coordination for the effective implementation of the comprehensive
rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of beggary. In her address, AS (D/o SJE), Ms. Caralyn K.
Deshmukh reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to inclusive and dignified social support.
Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Department of Social Justice and
Empowerment, warmly welcomed the participants at the One-day Workshop & Training Program on
the SMILE- Beggary in Indore. pic.twitter.com/J8Bme5e9CX
— Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GOI (@MSJEGOI) July 11, 2025
Launched in October 2023, the SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and
Enterprise) is a landmark initiative aimed at achieving a ‘Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat’ – a Begging-Free India
– through the coordinated efforts of Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Civil Society
Organizations, and various implementation agencies. With over 22,410 individuals identified and 3,400
rehabilitated till date, the SMILE Scheme is poised to scale up its impact in Phase 3, covering 100 cities
across 34 States/UTs.
This National Implementation Workshop and National level consultation brought together State nodal
officers, District nodal officers, NGOs/Implementation agencies, from more than 23 States/UTs and 67
Districts across the country, State Govt. of MP, NISD, Govt. of India senior officers and underscores the
government’s commitment to dignity, inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods for the most marginalized
sections of society. During the workshop, Secretary Shri Amit Yadav also reviewed the merchandise
produced by rehabilitated beggars.*****
VM
(Release ID: 2144020)